EGBA Continues Push for Standardized RG Measures
The European Gaming and Betting Association (EGBA) has renewed its call for the adoption of a new European standard on markers of harm in online gambling. Unification is seen as the best method for addressing responsible gambling across the region.
LISTEN TO THIS ARTICLE:The proposal, which has been in development since 2022, is now approaching a decisive stage as national standardization delegates prepare to cast their votes within the European Committee for Standardisation (CEN). The ballot is scheduled to close on September 25, with the outcome expected to influence future regulatory approaches across the continent.
Related: EGBA Gives Backing to EU Court Ruling on Gambling LawThe initiative seeks to create a shared framework for identifying behavioral indicators linked to risky or harmful gambling activity. These indicators may include noticeable changes in the pace of play, increased time spent on gambling platforms, or rising frequency of participation. By combining and evaluating such data points, operators would be able to detect potential signs of problem gambling at earlier stages and respond with targeted interventions.
While many companies in the gambling sector have already developed their own harm detection systems, the industry has lacked a unified, evidence-based approach. The EGBA has stressed that the absence of common standards has resulted in inconsistencies across jurisdictions, with varying levels of effectiveness in monitoring player behaviour. The proposed CEN standard is intended to bridge this gap by offering a scientifically supported and widely applicable model that can be adopted throughout Europe.
The planned standard has been developed in consultation with academic researchers and harm-prevention experts, ensuring that it draws from a solid base of empirical evidence. The framework is designed not only to enhance the accuracy of identifying at-risk players but also to support regulators and operators in building more robust policies for consumer protection.
According to the EGBA, this effort represents a milestone for the European gambling industry in aligning on safer gambling measures that serve the common interest.
EGBA Secretary General Maarten Haijer has underlined the significance of the upcoming vote, describing it as a major step forward in advancing safer gambling practices. He emphasized that the initiative demonstrates how stakeholders can collaborate by pooling knowledge and experience to achieve outcomes that benefit society as a whole.
Haijer also encouraged national delegates to back the proposal, noting that it would help deepen the understanding of problem gambling behaviour and strengthen harm prevention across European markets.
More Responsible Gambling News
Responsible Gambling
Kindbridge Launches New Responsible Gambling Initiative Focused on Military Personnel
Sep 15, 2025A Concerted Effort Toward Responsible Gambling Oversight
The development of the standard has taken place under the CEN framework, which has enabled cooperation between a diverse range of stakeholders. National delegations involved in the process have included gambling regulators, academic specialists, industry representatives, and professionals focused on harm prevention. Their combined expertise has shaped the drafting of the standard and ensured that it addresses practical concerns from multiple perspectives.
The initiative has also gained support from significant organizations, including the Gambling Regulators European Forum (GREF). By endorsing the proposal, these groups have signaled the importance of creating common ground in an industry that has historically been fragmented by differing national regulations and operator practices. Their involvement underscores the growing recognition that shared standards can contribute to greater transparency and improved consumer safeguards.
If approved, the standard will not carry mandatory enforcement but will instead be available as a resource for regulators to incorporate into domestic gambling frameworks. National authorities would have the option to align their safer gambling policies with the new guidelines, offering greater consistency across borders. This flexibility is intended to encourage broad uptake while respecting the regulatory autonomy of individual member states.
CEN is expected to finalize and publish the new standard by early 2026, following the conclusion of the vote. It has indicated that the adoption of the framework could mark a turning point in the European gambling sector, enabling earlier interventions and more effective support for players who may be at risk.
RELATED TOPICS: Responsible Gambling
Review this New Post
Leave a Comment
User Comments
Comments for EGBA Continues Push for Standardized RG Measures