Is there a way to block gambling websites on my phone or computer to help me stop?

Ontario's centralized opt-out: BetGuard

The most powerful tool available to Ottawa players right now is BetGuard (betguard.ca) — Ontario's official, centralized self-exclusion service run by iGaming Ontario. It's a centralized self-exclusion tool where you set the length of time you want to opt out of regulated iGaming in Ontario; BetGuard verifies your identity and adds you to its central registry for the time you specify, letting you self-exclude from all regulated online gambling sites in minutes.

Regulated online gambling websites in Ontario then match your information and prevent you from logging into or creating accounts. That covers every operator in the province's legal market — not just one site, all of them, in a single step. Opting out through BetGuard.ca also means you're prevented from receiving marketing communications from any regulated iGaming site in Ontario.

You can choose to opt out for 6 months, 1 year, 5 years, or a custom term. Once you've signed up, you can't shorten the term, but you can extend it anytime. The process itself takes only a few minutes — you'll need one valid government photo ID and a brief facial recognition check. BetGuard is provided free of charge.

One thing to know: BetGuard is distinct from each operator's individual self-exclusion program — so if you previously opted out through a single site, that doesn't automatically carry over. You'd need to register with BetGuard separately to get the province-wide coverage. Also worth noting: BetGuard does not cover land-based, in-person casinos — that's handled through OLG's My PlayBreak program.

If you need help completing the sign-up process, you can dial 1-833-776-7171 (toll-free) and an agent will walk you through it step by step.

Device-level blocking software

BetGuard works at the operator end — it blocks you from accessing accounts on regulated sites. But if you want a second layer of friction on your own devices, dedicated blocking software can help. BetGuard's own help page points to Gamban and BetBlocker as website blocking tools for Ontario players. Both BetBlocker and GamBan are software programs designed to block online gambling sites and apps.

You can also add gambling sites to your browser's restricted list — Chrome and Firefox both have extensions available that block specific websites. These DIY options are more patchwork than a dedicated app, but they're free and easy to set up as a quick friction point.

The honest picture is that no single tool is airtight on its own. Using BetGuard alongside blocking software on your phone and computer gives you the strongest combined barrier — one that works at the account level and another that works at the device level.

If you want to talk to someone

ConnexOntario (1-866-531-2600) runs Ontario's 24/7 helpline for mental health and addictions, including gambling — free, confidential, and available right now if you need it. All of the above tools are available to anyone 19 or older in Ontario.