Online gambling is experiencing rapid growth in Europe, but with it comes an increased risk of problematic behaviour. For the first time, the European Union is preparing to vote on a common standard to better detect and prevent addiction-related abuses. Behind this initiative led by the EGBA lies the future of responsible gambling.
A European standard to unify prevention
The European Union is preparing to take a major step forward in the regulation of online gambling. On 25 September 2025, representatives of national standardisation bodies will vote on the adoption of a common standard aimed at identifying the warning signs of problematic gambling behaviour.
This standard was developed by the European Committee for Standardisation (CEN) at the beginning of the year. It proposes a set of guidelines that gaming operators will have to follow in order to more effectively detect signs of addiction or increased risk among their users.
The stated objective is clear: to harmonise practices across Europe in order to guarantee the same level of protection for players, regardless of their country of residence.
An initiative led by the EGBA
The Brussels-based European Gaming and Betting Association (EGBA) initiated this project in 2022. Noting the heterogeneity of rules within the European Union, the organisation advocated for a collective response.
“The vote represents a milestone moment for safer gambling in Europe,” said Maarten Haijer, Secretary General of the EGBA.
He believes that the introduction of shared indicators will promote a better understanding of risky behaviour and strengthen cooperation between regulators and operators.
The project already has the support of the Gambling Regulators European Forum (GREF), a network of national gambling regulators in Europe.
Why is such a standard necessary?
In several Member States, regulations on due diligence remain limited or even non-existent. This disparity leaves the door open to unequal practices, which undermines prevention efforts.
The standard proposed by CEN sets concrete benchmarks: abnormal frequency and duration of play, sudden increase in stakes, compulsive search for bonuses, or repeated attempts to replenish the account. These are all behaviours that operators will have to learn to detect systematically. By standardising these criteria, Europe hopes to create a common basis for protection.
A landmark decision
Since August 2025, national standardisation bodies that are members of CEN have been called upon to vote. The deadline is approaching and the EGBA is stepping up its calls for support.
If the standard is approved, its official publication by CEN is scheduled for early 2026. Each country will remain free to decide whether or not to incorporate these guidelines into its national regulations. However, the existence of a reference text should encourage many states to draw inspiration from it.
Towards a safer Europe for players?
Beyond the technical aspects, this vote symbolises a political will: to consider online gambling not only as a market, but also as a collective responsibility.
Stakeholders in the sector, whether regulators, operators or consumer protection associations, now face a choice. Will they favour harmonisation and prevention, or maintain a fragmented system with rules that vary from one country to another?
For Maarten Haijer, the answer is clear:
“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.”