Dataworks Launches Ontario Gambling Exclusion Platform With More Jurisdictions in Sight
BetGuard goes live: Dataworks launches Ontario’s centralised self-exclusion system and contact centre
Dataworks Group Limited (ASX: DWG) has formally launched BetGuard, iGaming Ontario’s Centralised Self-Exclusion (CSE) tool, alongside a fully integrated Contact Centre operation. The milestone extends the company’s proven CSE platform to a second live, regulated international jurisdiction, with its platforms now connected to more than 230 wagering operators globally and having processed more than 37 billion real-time exclusion checks to date. The underlying technology has maintained 100% system availability since the Australian go-live across more than two years of continuous production operation.
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From Australia to Ontario — how Dataworks built BetGuard
Proven technology, new jurisdiction
BetGuard was developed by Dataworks based on the proven BetStop – The National Self-Exclusion Register™ technology, currently owned and operated in Australia on behalf of the Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA). The platform was configured specifically to support Ontario’s regulated online gaming market in accordance with iGaming Ontario’s requirements.
The formal launch followed an extensive pre-launch phase in which all licensed operators were onboarded into the live production environment before undertaking comprehensive end-to-end testing. That sequencing reflects the operational rigour the company applies to mission-critical regulatory infrastructure.
A full-service launch: the BetGuard Contact Centre
In parallel with the technology rollout, Dataworks also established and implemented iGaming Ontario’s BetGuard Contact Centre operations. The Contact Centre was developed and is staffed by Dataworks employees, is fully integrated into the BetGuard system, and was established under a separate Change Order executed with iGaming Ontario in February 2026.
The implementation involved:
- Establishment of a Toronto-based operation
- Local corporate entity formation
- Recruitment and training of operational staff
- Deployment of all necessary systems and processes
CEO commentary
Al Watson, Chief Executive Officer
“This important piece of Responsible Gambling infrastructure would not be in place were it not for the incredible effort, commitment and dedication shown by iGaming Ontario, the Dataworks team and our partners. I’d like to thank and congratulate everyone involved for reaching this milestone and for working so well together.
The global market for responsible gambling technology is maturing, with regulators and operators alike recognising the benefits of centralised, privacy-preserving platforms that reduce compliance complexity for industry and which strengthen participant protections. What we have built is not simply a self-exclusion register. It is an enterprise-grade RegTech platform, and centralised self-exclusion represents the foundation of a much broader capability set. With operational proof now across two regulated jurisdictions, Dataworks is well positioned to grow with this market.
We continue to see strong engagement across multiple regulated jurisdictions, with potential contract decisions expected in the near term, subject to government procurement and regulatory timelines.”
What is centralised self-exclusion — and why does it matter for investors?
A Centralised Self-Exclusion system is a single, jurisdiction-wide register that enables a problem gambler to exclude themselves from all licensed operators at once, rather than registering separately with each platform. The “centralised” and “real-time” nature of the technology are the key differentiators: exclusion checks occur instantaneously at critical points of user activity, and the register is fully embedded into the betting journey across every connected operator.
These platforms are also privacy-preserving and reduce compliance complexity for operators, addressing two of the most significant friction points in responsible gambling regulation. For investors, CSE systems represent a category of regulatory infrastructure that is contract-backed, deeply embedded once operational, and carries high barriers to entry given the technical complexity and sovereign procurement processes involved.
Dataworks is one of only two known operators of large-scale, enterprise-grade, real-time CSE systems globally. As CEO Al Watson described it, what the company has built is “an enterprise-grade RegTech platform” where centralised self-exclusion is “the foundation of a much broader capability set.”
| Platform | Jurisdiction | Regulatory Principal | Operators Connected | Exclusion Checks Processed |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| BetStop – The National Self-Exclusion Register™ | Australia | Australian Communications and Media Authority | Part of 230+ combined total | >37 billion (combined, both platforms) |
| BetGuard | Ontario, Canada | iGaming Ontario | Part of 230+ combined total | Live as of May 2026 |
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What comes next — pipeline, growth and the global RegTech opportunity
Dataworks has signalled a clear near-term pipeline alongside the Ontario launch. The key forward-looking points from the announcement are:
- The company is progressing multiple additional regulated market opportunities internationally.
- Dataworks currently expects one potential contract opportunity to reach a decision point during the current half (H2 FY26).
- Timing and progression of these opportunities remains subject to government procurement cycles, regulatory processes, and associated approval timeframes.
The conditional framing around procurement timelines is standard for sovereign contract environments, and the company has been consistent in applying that qualifier. The signal itself, however, is material: a decision point is expected within the current half, not a future financial year.
More broadly, the CEO’s framing positions the Ontario launch as proof-of-concept for international scalability rather than a standalone event. With operational credibility now established across two regulated jurisdictions, and with the global responsible gambling technology market described as maturing, Dataworks is building the track record that complex government procurement processes typically require. The company’s ability to stand up a full-service regulated platform, including a locally staffed Contact Centre and corporate entity in a new market, may also strengthen its position in future competitive tender processes.
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