There are a ton of ways to prevent gambling-related harms on your sportsbook and elsewhere. One way is to take a break with the self-exclusion tool that is available on every regulated sportsbook. IGaming Ontario is working to make this process easier for bettors who bet with more than one sportsbook.
New Centralized Self-exclusion System Might Come to Ontario Soon
New Centralized Self-exclusion System Might Come to Ontario Soon
Highlights
- Integrity Compliance 360 and IXUP selected to develop centralized system
- Key features
- What is self-exclusion?
Integrity Compliance 360 and IXUP selected to develop a centralized self-exclusion system for Ontario
Last week, iGaming Ontario announced plans to develop a centralized self-exclusion system for the iGaming market in Ontario. The new centralized self-exclusion system will be developed by Integrity Compliance 360 (IC360) and IXUP, a first in North America according to iGaming Ontario. "We look forward to working with IC360, IXUP, OLG and our operators to develop a centralized self-exclusion program for Ontario’s iGaming players," iGaming Ontario executive director Martha Otton said.
"This project reflects our ongoing commitment to build on the existing player protections here in Ontario. With IC360’s tech-first expertise in betting integrity through ProhiBet and IXUP’s demonstrated success with BetStop in Australia, we’re confident they will help us build a robust self-exclusion system for Ontarians who decide to take a short- or long-term break from gambling.”
Protecting bettors and preventing gambling-related harms has been one of the biggest issues for the betting sites since Ontario’s iGaming market went live in 2022, and this is the newest move to add to the player protection tools for bettors.
The big game is just around the corner and the excitement is building! Whether you're a die-hard fan or just in it for the commercials, remember to gamble responsibly and set limits. Don't let the thrill of the game cloud your judgement! #PlayWithConfidence #GamblingTips pic.twitter.com/uIsZUV4EQg
— iGaming Ontario (@iGamingOntario) February 10, 2023
The new centralized self-exclusion system will give bettors the option to self-exclude themselves from all regulated iGaming sites in Ontario at the same time, including OLG.ca. According to iGaming Ontario, IC360 and IXUP will work closely with the iGaming operators and OLG to develop the centralized self-exclusion system immediately.
Ontario currently has 50 operators and 82 gaming websites. Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario CEO Karin Schnarr commented on the need for more player protection tools. “Requirements for robust player protections and responsible gambling safeguards are central to the AGCO’s regulatory standards for Ontario’s gaming industry,” she said.
"Once the new, centralized self-exclusion system is available, all registered gaming operators in the province will be required to participate and this will go a long way in supporting players who wish to stop or take a break from gambling in Ontario.”
What the self-exclusion system may look like
Right now, bettors can only self-exclude themselves on one sportsbook at a time. On PowerPlay, for example, bettors can self-exclude themselves from the sportsbook by heading to gambling controls section that can be accessed through the account pop-up menu. Bettors have the option to self-exclude for six months to five years. Once a self-exclusion period is chosen and started, “pending bets will be cancelled unless the event has commenced” and the bettor won’t be able to access the account under any circumstances until the self-exclusion period is over.
Some of the key features of the new centralized system were listed. The system will work seamlessly with all regulated Ontario iGaming operators’ systems, allow bettors to create and manage their self-exclusion profiles easily, and implement “identity verification, registration, renewal, and reinstatement processes that are intuitive, simple, and offer supporting resources.”
IC360 president Eric Frank commented on the new self-exclusion system. “IC360 is excited to work with iGaming Ontario to generate a system that brings the highest standard of responsible gambling tools to one of the world’s leading gaming jurisdictions,” Frank said. “Through our tool ProhiBet and our education services we have always been strongly committed to responsible gambling and look forward to working with all stakeholders to deliver the best self-exclusion solution to protect players in Ontario.”
IXUP and Integrity Compliance 360
IXUP CEO Al Watson commented on IXUP’s role in developing the self-exclusion system. “This project is a significant moment for responsible gambling in North America. The entire IXUP team has worked exceptionally hard to establish IXUP as a key provider of state-of-the-art online gambling self-exclusion products globally, made possible by the application of our world leading secure data collaboration engine and we are extremely excited to continue this work in Ontario” According to their site, IXUP is a “technology company that has developed world class software facilitating the secure sharing and analysis of sensitive information using advanced encryption technology.” IXUP operates a national self-exclusion register in Australia, according to iGaming Ontario.
According to the IC360 site, IC360 is a “technology and consultancy firm specializing in comprehensive integrity and compliance solutions for sports, sports betting, gaming, and iGaming.” A release date wasn’t announced for Ontario’s centralized self-exclusion system. Each regulated sportsbook in the province is required to offer a self-exclusion tool, so bettors can use the self-exclusion option on their chosen sportsbook until the centralized system is released.
Kahfeel Buchanan graduated from Toronto Metropolitan University’s journalism program. When not reading, writing, or covering sports, he likes to drink coffee, watch movies, and more. He has years of sports writing and journalism experience. From covering basketball games at Toronto Metropolitan University for the school paper to writing about sports betting, he has published a ton of sports stories throughout his time as a journalist. His work doesn’t end there, Kahfeel wrote a bunch of opinion stories on the Toronto Raptors during his early years as a sports writer, once writing about Fred VanVleet making the NBA All-Star team months before his first All-Star selection in 2022. He works hard to give readers quality journalism and great stories.
