Ontario regulator issues new gaming guidance
09 November 2026
The Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO) has updated key internet gaming standards to support the launch of its new centralized self-exclusion framework, as well as provide more detailed guidance on operator obligations to prevent gambling-related harm.
Central to the revisions is the introduction of a new self-exclusion framework, BetGuard, which gives Ontario players a streamlined, single-access way to self-exclude from all regulated online gaming sites in the province. Under the updated standards, individuals can exclude themselves centrally for a period of six months, one year, or five years.
New self-exclusion framework introduced
The AGCO says the updates are designed to minimize gambling-related harm and protect vulnerable individuals by making it easier for players to centrally exclude themselves from Ontario’s regulated online gaming market. BetGuard was recently added to the Registrar’s Standards for Internet Gaming as new standard 2.14, alongside updates to related standards 2.03 and 3.01. iGaming Ontario, the entity overseeing Ontario’s internet gambling market, will administer the exclusion registry and perform the necessary checks with operators to block excluded players.
The new framework is intended to offer a single, simplified self-exclusion process compared to the previous requirement for players to individually contact each site. By centralizing the task, the AGCO says it makes it faster and easier for players to exclude themselves and for operators to ensure compliance.
Critically, the updated standards outline the steps operators must take to prevent centrally self-excluded players from accessing their services. Operators will be required to block excluded individuals from:
- Creating new accounts
- Accessing existing accounts
- Receiving marketing materials, incentives, or promotions
The latest guidance specifies that all operators must complete these actions within 24 hours of the individual being added to the self-exclusion registry administered by iGaming Ontario. Further, the standards require operators to cancel and refund all outstanding wagers to a centrally-excluded person’s wallet within the same 24-hour timeframe (though bets tied to events occurring within the next 24 hours are excluded from refunds).
Player protections strengthened
The expanded scope of the AGCO’s revised standards is aimed at reducing gaming-related harm and protecting the most at-risk populations by strengthening self-exclusion capabilities and creating a more secure gaming environment.
Key to the AGCO's plan is outlining clear obligations for operators, with the AGCO stating its intention to hold regulated parties accountable for preventing gambling harm. Last year, the AGCO provided guidance that operators must conduct regular self-assessments of their services to identify and assist vulnerable individuals. In addition, the AGCO expects operators to implement practices that encourage responsible gaming and identify players at risk of developing problems.
AGCO enforcement is designed to be outcomes-focused, though the AGCO has not specified what the harm-mitigating outcomes must be. In its guidance, the AGCO says that it expects operators to work proactively to prevent problem gaming on their sites. While the AGCO has not created metrics to measure harmful practices on gambling sites, its recent decisions suggest it may be developing a comprehensive regulatory plan.
Broad oversight of iGaming in Ontario
The centralized self-exclusion framework is just the latest move by the AGCO in its ongoing efforts to strengthen oversight of Ontario's internet gaming sector. The province first introduced its online gambling market in 2022, alongside the original version of the Registrar’s Standards established by the AGCO to ensure the safety and security of operators. Though most of the mandated obligations were implemented at launch, 2023 and 2024 have seen a series of guidance updates.
As the gambling sector continues to expand in Ontario, the likelihood of more updates increases. The AGCO's approach prioritizes evidence-driven measures to support safer gambling and accountability from regulated entities. While it remains to be seen how the latest guidelines will translate into practical changes, they mark another significant step in how Ontario manages the growing online gaming market.