Key takeaways
- BetGuard launched on 14 May 2026 and lets people aged 19 and older opt out of all regulated online gambling in Ontario through one portal.
- Self-exclusion blocks existing accounts, new accounts and direct marketing from regulated iGaming sites. It is a personal process: you cannot register someone else.
- Use BetGuard.ca and official regulated-market channels only; iGaming Ontario has warned about third parties using the BetGuard name.
BetGuard launched on 14 May 2026. It allows people aged 19 and older to opt out of all regulated online gambling in Ontario through one portal, rather than going operator by operator.
That makes it materially different from closing one casino account or using one operator’s time-out tool.
According to iGaming Ontario, a BetGuard self-exclusion prevents the person from:
- accessing existing regulated online-gambling accounts;
- creating new accounts; and
- receiving direct marketing communications from regulated iGaming sites.
The system also includes OLG’s online gaming platform.
What BetGuard is for
Self-exclusion is for someone who wants a stronger barrier between themselves and gambling.
A normal account limit might restrict deposits or time spent at one operator.
BetGuard operates at the market level. Its purpose is to let a person step away from the whole regulated Ontario online-gambling environment.
That does not mean BetGuard blocks every gambling website on the internet. Its official scope is Ontario’s regulated online market.
Who can sign up?
iGaming Ontario says BetGuard is available to people aged 19 and older.
The process is personal. BetGuard’s own guidance says you cannot register somebody else on their behalf.
If you are worried about another person’s gambling, use the support resources for family and friends rather than trying to impersonate that person.
How long can self-exclusion last?
At launch, iGaming Ontario listed these choices:
- 6 months;
- 1 year;
- 5 years; or
- a custom term.
Because self-exclusion rules and interface details can change, the live BetGuard service should always be checked before relying on a duration shown in an older article.
The important point is that this is not merely a one-day “cool off” button. BetGuard is designed for a defined period of exclusion across the regulated online market.
What do you need to register?
BetGuard’s “Before You Start” guidance describes an identity-verification process.
As of 25 September 2026, it says users should have:
- access to a phone for a verification code;
- government-issued photo ID; and
- a device with a camera.
The service also explains that identity details should match the information on the person’s Ontario gaming accounts.
Ontario Casinos List does not participate in that process and never collects identity documents for BetGuard.
If you want to self-exclude, use the official BetGuard website.
Why does BetGuard need identity verification?
A centralized exclusion only works if participating operators can reliably identify the excluded person.
Without identity matching, someone could simply create a new account using slightly different details.
Not every technical detail of BetGuard’s matching system is public.
What is clear is that the official service uses identity verification as part of registration so the exclusion can be applied across participating regulated accounts.
Does BetGuard replace operator safer-gambling tools?
No.
Ontario operators still provide their own responsible-gambling tools and self-exclusion options.
Depending on the operator, these may include:
- deposit limits;
- loss limits;
- session/time tools;
- short breaks; and
- operator-level self-exclusion.
BetGuard adds a centralized route for someone who wants to opt out across the regulated online market.
A player deciding between a short break and market-wide exclusion should use the official descriptions of the available tools rather than assuming they are interchangeable.
What happens to marketing?
iGaming Ontario’s launch announcement says people enrolled through BetGuard should stop receiving direct marketing communications from regulated iGaming sites.
That is an important part of self-exclusion.
A person who has chosen to stop gambling should not have the same regulated operators continuing to send direct promotional messages.
If you receive messages after self-excluding, use the official operator or BetGuard support route rather than replying with personal information to an unknown sender.
Beware of BetGuard impersonation
On 10 September 2026, iGaming Ontario published a warning about unauthorized third parties using the BetGuard name and branding to make misleading statements about opting out of regulated online gambling.
That warning makes one rule especially important:
Use BetGuard.ca and official regulated-market channels.
iGO specifically pointed people toward:
- BetGuard.ca;
- websites of operators in the regulated directory;
- OLG.ca; and
- recognized support channels including ConnexOntario and the Responsible Gambling Council.
Do not send identity information to a third-party website simply because it displays the BetGuard name or logo.
Does BetGuard block unregulated websites?
Do not assume so.
BetGuard is described as a centralized self-exclusion tool for Ontario’s regulated online gambling market.
It is not presented as software that technically blocks every offshore gambling site.
BetGuard’s own help resources separately mention website-blocking tools that may help people limit access more broadly.
That distinction is important: centralized regulated-market exclusion and general internet blocking are different tools.
What if you need support beyond self-exclusion?
Self-exclusion is one part of gambling support.
BetGuard points users to additional services, including ConnexOntario.
As of 25 September 2026, BetGuard lists ConnexOntario’s 24/7 support at:
- phone: 1-866-531-2600
- text: 247247
It also points to crisis support through 988.
These details can change, so current phone numbers and service descriptions should always be checked against the official source.
BetGuard support
BetGuard also has its own contact channels for questions about the service.
As of 25 September 2026, its contact page lists:
- Greater Toronto Area: 416-479-0008
- Toll-free: 1-833-776-7171 (Canada and U.S.)
There is also an online contact form.
A BetGuard technical issue is different from a casino payment dispute. If your question is about a withdrawal or account transaction at a specific casino, start with that operator’s complaint process.
What happens to existing casino accounts?
The launch announcement says self-excluded users are prevented from accessing existing accounts.
The service is designed to work across the regulated online market, so you should not expect one existing regulated account to remain open for wagering while others are blocked.
For account-specific questions, use the official BetGuard support channel.
BetGuard and OLG.ca
OLG.ca is legally operated under the Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation rather than iGaming Ontario’s private-operator conduct-and-manage model.
BetGuard’s centralized exclusion still includes OLG’s online gaming platform.
This is another reason to avoid describing BetGuard as simply “iGO casino exclusion.” It is intended to cover regulated online gambling across Ontario’s market, including OLG’s online offering.
BetGuard is not a punishment
Self-exclusion is a voluntary protective tool.
The person chooses to use it.
Language matters here. Terms like “blacklisted gambler” or “banned player” make a support mechanism sound punitive.
A better framing is the one used by the official service: opting out.
Quick answers
Does BetGuard cover regulated Ontario casinos?
Yes. iGaming Ontario describes it as applying across Ontario’s regulated online-gambling market.
Is OLG.ca included?
Yes. The official launch material says the centralized system includes OLG’s online gaming platform.
Can I enroll someone else?
No. BetGuard’s guidance describes self-exclusion as a personal process.
Can I choose the duration?
At launch, the published options were 6 months, 1 year, 5 years or a custom term. Check the live service before enrolling.
Should I sign up through an affiliate site?
No. Use the official BetGuard service.
Related reading
- Responsible gambling – Limits, support and ConnexOntario
- Casino complaints – How a dispute is escalated
- Budget and limits planner – Turn a monthly amount into deposit limits
Frequently asked questions
Who can sign up for BetGuard?
iGaming Ontario says BetGuard is available to people aged 19 and older. The process is personal: BetGuard's guidance says you cannot register somebody else on their behalf.
Does BetGuard replace operator safer-gambling tools?
No. Ontario operators still provide their own responsible-gambling tools and self-exclusion options. BetGuard adds a centralized route for opting out across the regulated online market.
Does BetGuard block unregulated websites?
Do not assume so. BetGuard is described as a centralized self-exclusion tool for Ontario's regulated online gambling market, not as software that technically blocks every offshore gambling site.
What happens to marketing after you self-exclude?
iGaming Ontario's launch announcement says people enrolled through BetGuard should stop receiving direct marketing communications from regulated iGaming sites.
Sources
Regulatory details last checked .
- iGaming Ontario — BetGuard launch, 14 May 2026 Official source · Checked 25 September 2026.
- iGaming Ontario — BetGuard impersonation warning, 10 September 2026 Official source · Checked 25 September 2026.
- BetGuard — Before You Start Official source · Checked 25 September 2026.
- BetGuard — Find Help Official source · Checked 25 September 2026.
- BetGuard — Contact Official source · Checked 25 September 2026.
Written by
Adi Galatanu
Fact-checked by
