iGaming Ontario has selected a joint bid by Integrity Compliance 360 and IXUP to develop a centralised self-exclusion system for Ontario, “designed to support players’ decisions to self-exclude while also protecting their privacy”.
Work on the centralised self-exclusion system for the Canadian province will begin immediately, with iGO, IC360 and IXUP collaborating closely with igaming operators and the Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation.
The system will allow players to self-exclude from all Ontario-regulated igaming sites at once, including OLG.ca, adding another protection layer under the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario’s Registrar’s Standards for Internet Gaming, protecting players from experiencing gambling harm and support their decision to take a break from online gambling.
IC360 and IXUP will develop a system that integrates seamlessly with all regulated Ontario igaming operators’ systems; provides anyone 19+ with easy access to create and manage their self-exclusion profile; and implements ID verification, registration, renewal and reinstatement processes that are intuitive, simple and offer supporting resources.
Martha Otton, Executive Director of iGO, commented: “We look forward to working with IC360, IXUP, OLG and our operators to develop a centralised self-exclusion program for Ontario’s igaming players. 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.”
IC360 is a global technology and consultancy firm that specialises in comprehensive integrity and compliance solutions for sports, sports betting, gaming and igaming.
Eric Frank, President of IC360, noted: “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.
“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 is a technology company that has developed software to facilitate the secure sharing and analysis of sensitive information using advanced encryption technology. The firm designed, delivered and operates Australia’s BetStop national self-exclusion register.
“This project is a significant moment for responsible gambling in North America,” stated Al Watson, CEO of IXUP.
“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.”
iGO noted that the Registrar’s Standards for Internet Gaming state that every regulated igaming site in Ontario must already offer a self-exclusion program that is “well-promoted, easily accessible to customers and includes resources and information about problem gambling support services”.
“Congratulations to iGaming Ontario on this important milestone,” said Duncan Hannay, President and CEO of OLG.
“Player health is a cornerstone of OLG’s business. We are committed to ongoing improvements to responsible gambling efforts so that our industry can offer a safer, more enjoyable experience for all players in Ontario.”
Dr Karin Schnarr, CEO and Registrar of the AGCO, added: “Requirements for robust player protections and responsible gambling safeguards are central to the AGCO’s regulatory standards for Ontario’s gaming industry.
“Once the new, centralised 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.”
