Ontario’s move to develop a single, centralized self-exclusion program that would apply to all 82 of the province’s legal online gambling sites is a most worthy effort in the name of responsible gambling. But a recent Global News report on problem gambling unwittingly pointed out the problems inherent even in that system, which has yet to launch.
iGaming Ontario announced on Aug. 1 that it has hired Integrity Compliance 360 and IXUP. The tech companies are developing software that would allow gamblers to self-exclude themselves from all of the province’s legal online gambling platforms.
There has been no publicly-announced target date for the launch of that system.
When it does launch, it certainly will help reduce gambling harm. But, it won’t be a panacea if we use the Global story as an example.
That’s because Esteban Ouellet, the problem gambler who shared his story in the report, clearly was using a mix of legal and illegal gambling sites. Several illegal sites were shown in the report.
Of course, a centralized self-exclusion program will not cover sites that are illegal in Ontario.
Another reason Ontarians should always gamble on regulated sites
There’s nothing iGO can do about those that gamble illegally, of course.
As it stands, it has been wildly successful in nudging grey-market operators over to the regulated sector. In fact, it has reported that at least 85% of former grey-market sites previously accessed by Ontarians are now licensed and regulated in the province.
Also, prior to launch the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario estimated some 70% of online gambling by Ontarians was taking place on illegal sites. An IPSOS study found that in 2024 over 86% of gamblers in Ontario were now betting on regulated sites.
iGO also does a nice job of having its logo prominently displayed on the legal sites. And, it maintains an easy-to-search website of the sites that are officially licensed and regulated.
One of the main reasons for a regulated sector is to better protect consumers.
Greater education about the regulated market still needed
Kudos to Global News and, in particular, Ouellet for discussing the perils of problem gambling.
Though, the report did highlight the need for even greater education for both consumers and reporters covering the industry. Clearly, there is still confusion about which sites are regulated and which are not.
Ouellet and reporter Jeff Semple both expressed surprise that even after Ouellet was able to self-ban himself from one of the illegal sites, the site continued to send him promotional emails.
This shouldn’t be a surprise coming from an illegal site.
But it is a reminder that gambling legally is a much safer bet. And it will be even safer once Ontario launches its centralized self-exclusion program.
