Ontario Launches BetGuard for Online Gambling

New Gambling Safety Tool

iGaming Ontario created BetGuard to support safer gambling. The system lets people in Ontario block access to all regulated gambling sites at the same time. Before this, users had to contact each gambling company one by one. That process could be slow and confusing.

Now, one signup covers the whole regulated market, including lottery gaming websites. Officials said the system is voluntary and users must choose to sign up themselves. Ontario’s online gambling market has grown quickly in recent years. As the market grew, concerns about gambling addiction and player safety also increased.

Users Can Pick Different Time Periods

People in Ontario who are 19 or older can register for BetGuard with ID documents. After approval, access to regulated gambling websites is blocked right away. Users can choose these time periods:

• Six months

• One year

• Five years

• Custom time periods

Users can extend the block later if they want. However, they cannot cancel it early — officials say this rule helps stop impulsive decisions.

Ontario’s Gambling Market Is Growing Fast

Ontario now has 44 licensed operators and 76 regulated gambling websites. The market reportedly made more than four billion dollars in 2025. Competition between gambling companies has also increased. Many operators now use large promotions and ads to attract players. Some critics say heavy advertising may increase risks for vulnerable users.

Joseph Hillier, CEO of iGaming Ontario, said stronger safety tools are needed as the market grows. He said Ontario is now one of the few places with a centralized online self-exclusion system.

Industry Groups Welcome the Launch

Canadian Gaming Association also supported the launch. Association president Paul Burns said gambling companies are putting more focus on player safety. He also said public education about gambling risks is still important.

Online gambling is now easier to access on phones and apps. Because of this, many experts believe safety tools like BetGuard will become more important in the future.

For Ontario regulators, BetGuard is another step toward protecting players while the gambling market continues to grow.