The European Gaming and Betting Association (EGBA) has urged representatives of national standardisation bodies to support the adoption of a new European standard on identifying “markers of harm” in online gambling.
The decision, coordinated by the European Committee for Standardisation (CEN), will conclude on 25 September and follows a multi-year effort launched by EGBA in 2022.
This proposed framework introduces a set of behavioural indicators designed to flag potentially risky or harmful gambling activity. Examples include shifts in playing speed, session length, and frequency of play.
By detecting these behavioural patterns early, gambling operators would, in theory, be better positioned to intervene proactively and reduce gambling-related harm.
The standard has been developed through extensive consultation, drawing contributions from regulators, academics, industry operators, and harm-prevention experts via national delegations.
Maarten Haijer, Secretary General of EGBA, stated:
The vote represents a milestone moment for safer gambling in Europe. 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.
We call on national delegates to approve the important standard, which will contribute to a better understanding of problem gambling behaviour and support more effective harm prevention across Europe.
If adopted, the standard is anticipated to be released by early 2026. Its application would be optional, leaving it up to national regulators to determine whether to incorporate it into their own regulatory systems.
