EGBA celebrates approval of Europe’s first standardised gambling harm markers

• European Gaming and Betting Association welcomes national standardisation bodies’ approval of landmark harm prevention standard after three-year development process
• Draft standard aims to strengthen player protection across Europe by providing common framework for identifying risky gambling behaviours
• Framework expected to be published by early 2026 for voluntary adoption by regulators and licensed operators throughout Europe

The European Gaming and Betting Association (EGBA) has celebrated the approval of Europe’s first standardised markers of harm following a decisive vote by national standardisation bodies. The landmark European standard on identifying risky gambling behaviours received widespread support after the voting period closed on 25 September.

The initiative represents the culmination of a three-year collaborative effort that began when EGBA first proposed the standard to the European Committee for Standardisation (CEN). The development process brought together regulators, academics, operators, and harm-prevention specialists from across the continent.

Industry collaboration drives harm prevention

The draft standard aims to strengthen player protection across Europe by establishing a common framework for identifying risky gambling behaviours. This represents the first commonly agreed European standard within the gambling sector, demonstrating the industry’s ability to unite around consumer protection objectives.

Maarten Haijer, Secretary General of EGBA, praised the collaborative achievement.

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,” he said.

The level of support demonstrates the sector’s readiness to adopt stronger safeguards and address potential risks more consistently across jurisdictions. The framework will serve as a foundational building block for developing effective tools to combat problem gambling.

Technical development and expert involvement

Vasiliki Panousi, Senior Manager of EU Affairs at EGBA, highlighted the project’s extensive development timeline and diverse expertise involved.

“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,” Panousi commented.

The initiative was coordinated by AFNOR, the French national standardisation body, serving as Secretariat within CEN. Dr. Maris Catania served as project leader and received recognition from EGBA for her role in steering the initiative to completion.

EGBA expressed appreciation to delegates from national committees and other stakeholders who contributed their expertise to shaping the framework. The collaborative process involved experts from diverse backgrounds providing knowledge and practical insights.

Implementation timeline and next steps

The vote represents a milestone, but the draft standard requires finalisation before publication. CEN will now undertake procedural steps including official translations and administrative checks. This process is expected to be completed by early 2026.

Once published, the standard will be available for voluntary adoption by gambling regulators and licensed operators throughout Europe. The framework provides operators and regulators with consistent tools to identify potentially harmful gambling patterns before they escalate.

The approval reflects growing regulatory focus on harm prevention across European gambling markets. As jurisdictions continue developing responsible gambling frameworks, standardised approaches may become essential for operators seeking to demonstrate compliance and maintain licences across multiple markets.