How long does a self-exclusion typically last and can I choose different durations?

Ontario's self-exclusion picture got significantly cleaner in May 2026 with the launch of BetGuard — so the answer to your question is both specific and genuinely useful for anyone playing from Ottawa.

The durations BetGuard offers

BetGuard is a tool launched by iGaming Ontario that enables individuals aged 19 and older to voluntarily opt out of all Ontario regulated online gaming platforms through one online portal — blocking access to existing accounts, creation of new accounts, and direct marketing from any regulated site in the province.

The available term lengths are 6 months, 1 year, 5 years, or a custom term of your choosing. That custom option is the part most people don't know about: if none of the preset durations fit what you have in mind, you can set your own. The AGCO's published standards for the program explicitly require that term lengths include six-month, one-year, and five-year options, with the custom path sitting on top of those.

If you need support while deciding, ConnexOntario (1-866-531-2600) can walk you through your options — they're available around the clock.

What the exclusion actually does

Operators are required to prevent centrally self-excluded persons from creating new player accounts or accessing existing accounts for as long as the exclusion remains active. Operators are also informed not to send direct marketing to individuals who have opted out. In short, it's a hard block across every regulated site simultaneously — not a soft suggestion you have to enforce yourself on each platform.

You can register directly at betguard.ca. Every internet gaming website offered by a fully registered and approved Ontario operator will display both the iGaming Ontario and BetGuard logos — seeing those logos confirms the site is managed by iGaming Ontario and regulated by the AGCO. If a site you're considering doesn't show both logos, that's a red flag worth acting on.

Operator-level programs still exist alongside BetGuard

In addition to BetGuard, every regulated internet gaming operator in Ontario offers its own self-exclusion program, and details can be found on each operator's website. Every regulated gaming site in Ontario also has its own responsible-gambling tools that must meet the AGCO Registrar's Standards for Internet Gaming — at a minimum, operators must provide spend-limit and time-limit tools and the ability to take a short-term break or to self-exclude for a longer term.

So you have two layers available: BetGuard for a province-wide, all-operators-at-once exclusion with the duration flexibility described above, and each individual operator's own program if you want something more targeted to a single site. For most people who want a genuine break, BetGuard is the stronger and simpler choice — one registration, every regulated Ontario site covered.