EGBA Supports New European Standard for Safer Gambling

The European Gaming and Betting Association (EGBA) has endorsed the new European standard on markers of harm in gambling, EN 18144, as a voluntary guideline to improve identification of risky gambling behaviors. Released through the European Committee for Standardisation (CEN) on 31 May 2026, the standard involves nine core behavioral indicators to aid operators in recognizing potentially harmful gambling patterns before they escalate.

Key Components of the Standard

Developed collaboratively by EGBA, operators, national authorities, academics, and harm prevention stakeholders, the EN 18144 standard has been hailed as the first-of-its-kind in the gambling sector. The standard identifies nine markers such as changes in stake amounts, speed or intensity of play, deposit size and frequency, failed deposits, withdrawals, canceled withdrawals, player-initiated contacts, session durations, use of multiple products, net losses, and changes in safety tools.

EGBA's Commitment to Player Protection

EGBA members, being proactive, are already implementing many aspects of the standard. This includes:

• Monitoring all nine behavioral indicators.
• Applying risk-scoring models for continuous assessment.
• Ensuring alignment with the standard across all operations.

Maarten Haijer, Secretary General of EGBA, stated:

"This is an important milestone for player protection in Europe. When widely adopted, this voluntary standard will lead to earlier identification of risky play and, ultimately, better protection for players."

Integration with National Regulations

The EN 18144 standard is intended to complement existing regulation frameworks. However, some markers may be excluded where they contradict national laws. Implementation is designed to align with the regulatory environment of each jurisdiction, ensuring flexibility.

Call to the Wider Industry

EGBA encourages other operators to implement the standard to advance player safety. By doing so, the broad adoption will enhance the industry's ability to protect players across European markets.

The standard is available for purchase from national standardisation bodies in Europe, further supporting its adoption. This initiative reflects EGBA's dedication to a safer and more responsible gambling environment.

Background of the Standard

The initiative to create EN 18144 was proposed by EGBA to CEN in 2022, with approval by national bodies in October 2025. Grounded in modern research, it represents a collaborative achievement aiming to set a high benchmark for consumer protection in the gambling sector.

Learn more about industry standards.

The Road Ahead for Compliance

EGBA remains committed to supporting its members as they drive forward the standard's implementation, expecting it to set a consistent benchmark across all European markets, enhancing overall industry accountability.