The regulated iGaming market in Ontario has a number of player supports in place and a centralized self-exclusion (CSE) system is set to launch in 2026. This will allow players to self-exclude from all their gambling accounts with regulated operators from one central location.
iGaming Ontario Self-Exclusion Getting Ready to Launch
The centralized self-exclusion system will provide an effective way for players to cut themselves off from all licensed operators in Ontario and it has been in production for quite some time. This new program will go live in 2026.
It is nearly four years since the regulated iGaming market in Ontario launched in April 2022, and there are 48 operators and 82 iGaming sites according to the official iGaming Ontario operator database. The iGO President and CEO Joseph Hillier has stated that the CSE has been a long time coming. He said, "I think there's a recognition that we're overdue for this system. We're pretty confident that midway through the year, we'll be in a position to do our public launch."
A centralized CSE system is long overdue, and a public launch should be ready by midway through 2026.
iGO's CSE Provides One Way to Self-Exclude at 80+ Websites
At present, licensed Ontario operators are required by the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO) to host their own self-exclusions programs. This requirement will remain in place.
The AGCO has stipulated since 2022 that a CSE system must be developed to provide a centralized way for players to self-exclude without having to do it manually at every online casino or sportsbook they use.
The CSE system will be a tool that will allow Ontario players to cut off their access to all online gaming accounts with regulated operators. One of the requirements for all operators will be for them to participate in a centralized CSE when it becomes available. This is similar to its requirement for all operators to complete the Responsible Gambling Council's RG Check certification.
Hillier took up his position in August 2025 and with it came the self-exclusion program development process that has been underway for a year. A request for the creation of a CSE tool was put out by iGO and a joint bid from sports betting integrity monitoring specialist Integrity Compliance 360 (IC360) and technology firm DataWorks was selected.
OLG Will Be Included in the CSE
The management of Ontario's iGaming operators is conducted by iGO with the exception of the government-run Ontario Lottery and Gaming (OLG) platform. It is intended that OLG will be included in the new CSE system along with all licensed online gambling sites in Ontario.
Hillier said, "Ensuring all operators are participating in this program is critical. If we don't have all the operators included, we don't have a centralized self-exclusion program."
He went on to say that iGO is aware that every operator has its own player protections in place and its own responsible gambling intervention. He also noted that a majority of licensed operators in Ontario also operate in other jurisdictions. He stated that the data situations of operators could different significantly from one to the other, so iGO has tried to find out what works and what doesn't.
Ontario needs a centralized self-exclusion system. It is something that is already operated in various forms by a number of US states. Alberta is also planning to do the same when they open their regulated iGaming market. The Minister of Service Alberta and Red Tape Reduction Dale Nally included a requirement for a CSE in Bill 48: iGaming Alberta Act that passed in May 2025.
Ensuring all operators are participating in this program is critical. If we don't have all the operators included, we don't have a centralized self-exclusion program.
New AGCO Guidance for Self-Exclusion Standards
The AGCO published new self-exclusion guidance on the 18th of December 2025 to prepare for the launch of the centralized CSE. More details will be added when the CSE goes live. Some of the basic requirements include:
- The CSE program will be promoted on all operators' sites.
- iGaming Ontario will maintain the Centralized Self-Exclusion Registry.
- Operators must take the steps to block players immediately once they self-exclude, as well as cancel and refund outstanding wagers and refund balances.
- iGO and operators must ensure that anyone that has self-excluded does not receive marketing material, promotions, or other incentives to play.
- iGO will clearly define term lengths for self-exclusion and this must include six-month, one-year, and five-year term options.
The new centralized self-exclusion program will help players feel more supported and allow them to make informed decisions with tools available at their fingertips. The new program will allow players to opt out of all licensed platforms at once. It will add a new layer of protection for individuals struggling with problem gambling.
The official release date has yet to be set, but it is expected to be in the first half of 2026.
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