EGBA Hails Approval of New European Standard to Identify Gambling-Related Harm

The European Gaming and Betting Association (EGBA) has welcomed the approval of a new European standard designed to strengthen player protection by providing clear markers of harm across the continent. National standardisation bodies voted overwhelmingly in favour of the draft, which was developed through the European Committee for Standardisation (CEN).

The initiative, originally proposed by EGBA in 2022, establishes a shared framework of behavioural indicators intended to identify risky gambling patterns. By creating a consistent reference point, the standard is expected to support early intervention efforts and enhance harm-prevention strategies across multiple jurisdictions.

Commenting on the development, Maarten Haijer, Secretary General of EGBA, said: "The positive outcome of this vote is a real testament to the power of collaboration across our sector. When EGBA first proposed this initiative to CEN, we envisioned creating a commonly agreed standard that would benefit players across Europe. We’re delighted with the support the standard has received, and I want to personally thank all the stakeholders who participated in this process. The result shows what happens when we work together to strengthen player protection."

The project was led by Dr. Maris Catania, with AFNOR, the French standardisation body, serving as Secretariat. Vasiliki Panousi, Senior Manager of EU Affairs at EGBA, added: "After years of driving this project, through its conception and development, seeing the overwhelming support it has received is incredibly rewarding. This will be the first commonly agreed European standard for identifying risky gambling behaviours, and it will offer an essential building block for effective harm prevention in Europe. The cooperation to develop the standard was extremely valuable, bringing together diverse expertise from across the continent."

The voting process concluded on 25 September, but the standard must still complete CEN’s formal finalisation, which includes language translations and procedural requirements. Publication is expected in early 2026, after which adoption will be voluntary for both regulators and operators.

By fLEXI tEAM