iGaming Ontario has selected IXUP and Integrity Compliance 360 (IC360) to develop a new centralized self-exclusion system for the Canadian province.
IXUP developed Australia’s BetStop national self-exclusion register and will work with its North American partner IC360 to provide Ontario with an effective self-exclusion system.
The contract has a total estimated value of over AUD$10 million (approx. CA$9 million) over an initial five-year contract term with a further three, one year extension options available.
“We look forward to working with IC360, IXUP, OLG and our operators to develop a centralized self-exclusion program for Ontario’s iGaming players,” said iGaming Ontario executive director Martha Otton. “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.”
iGaming Ontario and the IC360-IXUP team will begin developing the centralized self-exclusion system immediately, working closely with all licensed iGaming operators and the provincial lottery operator OLG.
With the new centralized self-exclusion system, players over the age of 19 will be able to self-exclude from all regulated iGaming sites in Ontario with one registration, including OLG.ca, adding another layer of protection under the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO)’s Registrar’s Standards for Internet Gaming.
“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,” said IC360 president Eric Frank. “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 chief executive Al Watson said the contract marked a watershed moment which positions the company to bid for additional state, province or national centralised self-exclusion contracts around the world.
“This project is a significant moment for responsible gambling in North America,” Watson added. “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.”
OLG president and CEO Duncan Hannay said: “Congratulations to iGaming Ontario on this important milestone. 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.”
AGCO chief executive and registrar Karin Schnarr 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, 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.”
Australia’s BetStop national self exclusion system launched in August 2023 and has completed over 15 billion self-exclusion checks in the first 11 months of operation.
Shares in IXUP Ltd (ASX:IXU) closed 4.35 per cent higher at AUD$0.024 per share in Sydney Friday following the announcement.