While Ontario online sportsbooks have a range of responsible gambling tools that customers can use, there is also a superb provincial tool known as MyPlayBreak which is perhaps one of the most effective of its kind in Canada.
In this guide, we explain what self-exclusion is concerning online sports betting in Ontario. We then look at the different tools available including the built-in ones sportsbooks have so you can limit your spending and bets, and the province-wide MyPlayBreak feature so you can keep yourself safe and prioritize fun when sports betting online.
What Is Self-exclusion at Ontario Online Sportsbooks?
Before we look at self-exclusion programs and tools for online sportsbooks, let’s remind ourselves of what this process is and why it is beneficial. Self-exclusion is a type of responsible gambling tool. It allows you to block access to your online sportsbook account for a pre-defined period. For example, you might be able to block access to your account for 6 months.
The key difference between account timeouts and self-exclusions is the timeframe. Where timeouts are typically used for shorter breaks of 24 to 72 hours, self-exclusion periods typically run from 1 month to 5 years or more. A self-exclusion period is designed to be a hard block to prevent you from gambling. We think it’s one of the most effective responsible gambling tools as it forces your hand and prevents you from having the choice of playing at Ontario online sportsbooks.
Examples of Other Responsible Gambling Tools
Self-exclusion is one of the more prominent responsible gambling tools at Ontario sportsbooks, but we briefly wanted to touch on the other ones you have at your disposal. We also have a range of other Ontario
betting guides
that can help so feel free to check them out.
Tool
How it works
Deposit limit
Set limits on how much CAD you can deposit within a set period such as per day or per week.
Timeout
Smaller account blocks compared to self-exclusion, typically for periods of 24 to 72 hours.
Reality check
Pop-up reminders that say when you have been betting for a set period such as 30 minutes.
Account closure
Full account closure for an indefinite period.
How Built-in Self-exclusion Works at Ontario Sportsbooks
If an online sportsbook in Ontario isn’t enrolled in the OLG MyPlayBreak program, then we expect it to have its own built-in self-exclusion program. This will be a feature in the responsible gambling section of the sportsbook that you should be able to access from your account management section. If you want to use it, simply log in to your account, go to the relevant section, and choose your self-exclusion period.
There will often be a drop-down list with a range of different periods available such as 1 month, 6 months, 1 year, or 5 years. You will then have to confirm your selection, and you may have to re-enter your login details or perform some type of authentication for the self-exclusion to take effect. When you have confirmed it, you will be automatically logged out of your account.
You might be able to undo the self-exclusion period by making a request with the customer support team, but from our experience, the best Ontario online sportsbooks that we recommend do not let you do this to protect you. You will simply be able to turn off the self-exclusion blocker when the period has elapsed and login and bet as usual.
We think these built-in self-exclusion tools are incredibly useful as they are directly linked with your sportsbook account, are easy to understand, and they are virtually impossible to bypass or undo. The only downside is that you are only excluding yourself from one sportsbook – there’s nothing really stopping you from simply logging in to your account on a different site, or registering with a new Ontario sportsbook.
Pros and Cons of Built-in Self-exclusion
We want you to have a clear picture of how these built-in tools shape up to provincial features like MyPlayBreak, so we’ve summarized their main pros and cons here:
Pros and Cons
Easy to understand
Flexible exclusion periods
Difficult to undo your decision
All reputable sites have them
Only works for one sportsbook at a time
How the MyPlayBreak OLG Self-exclusion Tool Works
If you want a more permanent solution that covers a much larger net of
online Ontario sportsbooks
then the MyPlayBreak program is exactly what you are looking for. This is a self-exclusion program created by the Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation which is an official organization associated with the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario.
While sites have built-in programs, you can sign up to the OLG MyPlayBreak program and instantly exclude yourself from all sportsbooks that are enrolled. We think that if you have got to the stage where you want to take a break, using this feature is THE most effective thing you can do. All you need to do to enroll is sign up with an OLG account and then activate your break period from your account management section. This should then block access to any Ontario online sportsbook signed up.
We love the flexibility this program provides too, as you can take breaks from 1 day, up to 5 years and anything in between. There are also additional features that you can get. For example, if you take a 3-5 year break, you will get links and resources to a range of treatment services, plus get the option to have a check-in call from the Responsible Gambling Council in Ontario.
Pros and Cons of MyPlayBreak
MyPlayBreak is easily one of the best self-exclusion programs of its kind and we believe it helps protect Ontario sports bettors. But there are some potential drawbacks too, and we’ve reflected these in the following pros and cons:
Pros and Cons
Blanket block for all enrolled sites
Great timeframe flexibility
Additional links and support
It means signing up to a new service
Know What Tools You Have to Protect Yourself While Sports Betting in Ontario
We think the MyPlayBreak tool created by the OLG (Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation) is one of the best of its kind and it’s similar to the GAM STOP system in the UK. It’s essentially a one-stop-shop that allows you to seamlessly self-exclude yourself from all Ontario online sportsbooks that are registered with the program.
Aside from understanding how this feature works, we also think you should check out the responsible gambling tools any sportsbook has that you are registered with, including their own self-exclusion programs. By doing this, you can make sure fun is your first priority, stay safe, and keep your online Canadian sports betting under control.
Ontario Online Sportsbooks Self-exclusion FAQs
This is a provincial self-exclusion program operated by the OLG (Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation). If you sign up for the MyPlayBreak program and activate a break, you will be self-excluded from accessing all OLG-registered online sportsbooks and unable to access any accounts you have with them.
No, they do not. MyPlayBreak is an initiative by the Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation. Private-sector sportsbooks aren’t required to be part of the program. However, sportsbooks that decide not to opt-in are required to offer their own version of a self-exclusion program.
No, you should not be able to undo your self-exclusion decision, nor do we think it is wise to try and do so. The MyPlayBreak program is designed to be watertight so that you can’t try and “get out of it”, and we expect the same standards from Ontario online sportsbooks and their built-in programs.
