European Safer Gambling Week 2026: this message takes center stage 

Ron Emmerink

• 11 Nov 2026 • Reading time: 3 minutes

European Safer Gambling Week 2026 takes place from November 16 to 22. Under the motto ‘Play Smart, Stay Protected’, organizer EGBA calls attention to player protection. One of the central messages: do not chase lost money. 

Just one more bet to make up for the loss. Just one more deposit because luck has to turn. These are thoughts that can pull a gambler further and further in. With the message “don’t chase your losses”, the European campaign targets that familiar risk. 

European Safer Gambling Week is an initiative of the European Gaming and Betting Association (EGBA), the European trade association of online gambling operators. The campaign brings together operators, regulators, researchers, and support organizations around the prevention of gambling harm. 

From losses to increasingly larger wagers 

Chasing losses means someone keeps playing in order to recover previously lost money. That can lead to higher stakes, new deposits, and longer playing sessions. 

A subsequent wager offers no guarantee of recovery, however. With another loss, the amount someone tries to win back only grows. This can create a vicious cycle in which stopping becomes increasingly difficult. 

Gambling Club previously described the warning signs of problematic gambling behavior. It is not just the amount spent that matters: playing more frequently, concealing losses, and breaking commitments about stopping also deserve attention. 

Setting limits before the urge takes hold 

The campaign calls on players to set limits in advance, take breaks, and only use money they can afford to lose. A limit is not a target amount to be spent. 

Anyone noticing that new deposits follow one another in rapid succession can set a lower deposit limit. Our explanation of deposit limits at Belgian online casinos details how this protection works. 

Choosing a licensed operator is also part of the campaign. That does not make gambling risk-free. The Belgian regulator has previously highlighted the risks of sports betting and the importance of protection. 

A gambling pause and support are available 

When setting limits independently is no longer working, the option of voluntary exclusion via EPIS exists in Belgium. Stop op tijd, the website of the Gaming Commission, provides information on access bans and available support. 

Loved ones may also need assistance. Financial trouble, secrecy, and tension frequently affect the entire household. Therefore, also read what you can do when your partner or family member gambles too much. 

Player protection must work all year round 

The sixth edition of European Safer Gambling Week includes social media campaigns, webinars, and meetings focusing on research, regulation, and protection. In 2025, according to EGBA, 221 organizations from 24 countries participated. 

The ambition for 2026 goes beyond a single campaign week: players must know about available support tools and be able to use them before gambling leads to greater problems.