Ontario to Launch Centralised iGaming Self-Exclusion System in 2026

Ontario’s regulated iGaming market is set to introduce a long-awaited centralised self-exclusion (CSE) system in 2026, giving players a single, effective way to block themselves from all licensed online gambling operators in the province.

With the market now approaching four years since its launch in April 2022 — and encompassing around 50 operators across more than 80 iGaming websites — iGaming Ontario (iGO) President and CEO Joseph Hillier acknowledged that the system is overdue.

“I think there’s a recognition that we’re overdue for this system,” Hillier told.

“I think we’re pretty confident that midway through next year, we’ll be in a position to do our public launch.”

Currently, operators are required by the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO) to maintain their own self-exclusion tools. The new CSE will sit alongside these, allowing players to self-exclude from all regulated online gambling sites at once, rather than managing multiple accounts individually.

“Ensuring all operators are participating in this program is critical,” Hillier said. “Ultimately, if we don’t have all the operators included, we don’t have a centralised self-exclusion program.”

The platform is being developed by Integrity Compliance 360 (IC360) in partnership with DataWorks, the technology firm behind Australia’s BetStop scheme. While iGO oversees commercial iGaming, the intention is for the province’s government-run OLG platform to also be included.

Ahead of the rollout, the AGCO has issued guidance outlining key requirements, including defined exclusion periods, blocking marketing to self-excluded players, preventing account re-registration, and ensuring immediate account suspension and refunds where applicable.

Hillier said the initiative is central to the long-term health of the market:

“This is really a big opportunity to help players to feel more supported in those most critical moments. A key priority for us is obviously the safety and security of player information, while operators also need a sustainable player base. This is part of that sustainability story.”

The launch will place Ontario alongside other jurisdictions with centralised self-exclusion frameworks, with future cross-province collaboration — including with Alberta — also being considered.