EGBA Asks Delegates to OK Landmark European Safer Gambling Standard 

The European Gaming and Betting Association (EGBA) has encouraged the adoption of a landmark European standard on markets of harm in online gambling. The initiative seeks to align Europe’s safer gambling efforts and prevent more gambling-related harm.

EGBA Seeks to Create List of Universal Harm Markers

In its latest announcement, the EGBA said that it has urged the delegates of national standardization bodies to approve the standards in the voting process at the European Committee for Standardization (CEN).

The vote is set to close on September 25, 2025, and represents what the EGBA called the “culmination of a multi-year collaborative effort.” For context, the EGBA initiated the standardization efforts in 2022.  

The association clarified that the newly proposed standard on markers of harm seeks to crеate a list of universal behavioral indicators that are usually tied to displays of problem gambling. Among others, these include sudden changes in how much and for how long players gamble online.

The EGBA said that the standardization initiative “exemplifies the collaborative approach that safer gambling requires.” It added that it already has support from key industry stakeholders, including the Gambling Regulators European Forum (GREF).

EGBA Wants to Bring the Industry Together   

The EGBA acknowledged that an overwhelming majority of regulated operators have harm-detection systems in place. However, as of the time of this writing, there is no universal framework that defines the typical markers of harm, leading to certain discrepancies between some operators.  

Because of that, the EGBA believes that a universal list of harm indicators would help the industry a lot, helping it to resolve critical gaps and shield more players from harm.

Maarten Haijer, secretary general of the EGBA, weighed in on the matter, highlighting the importance of voting in favor of the initiative.

This EGBA-proposed initiative demonstrates precisely the kind of collaboration we need more of – bringing together stakeholders to share knowledge and experiences to create something for the common good.

Maarten Haijer, secretary general, EGBA

Haijer encouraged delegates to approve the proposal, saying that it will step up the game against gambling harm in Europe.

In case voters greenlight the initiative, the finalized standard will be published by CEN by early 2026.

It should be noted that the universal standard will be voluntary and up to operators to decide whether to adopt it or not.