European Safer Gambling Week has once again placed player protection at the heart of public debate. The EGBA brought together experts, analysts, regulators and industry representatives for six highly popular webinars. A total of 2,000 registrations and 1,200 participants from across Europe – and beyond – confirmed the growing interest in a responsible and sustainable approach to online gambling.
A strategic overview
The week began with an opening session during which Dr Maris Catania (LeoVegas Group) and Maarten Haijer (EGBA) outlined the priorities for the event. Moderated by Jim Curry, they presented the current challenges: harmonising practices in Europe, modernising prevention tools and increasing transparency.
The opening session served as a roadmap: between innovations, emerging risks and the expectations of European institutions, ESGW25 Week took place in a context where player safety is no longer an option, but a public requirement.
Advertising responsibility: beyond compliance
The second session focused on advertising practices in the online gaming sector. With contributions from Tudor M. Manda (EASA) and Vasiliki Panousi (EGBA), a key debate emerged: how can commercial freedom be reconciled with consumer protection?
The speakers presented the EGBA’s European Code of Responsible Advertising and the new influencer pledge. The aim? To put an end to ambiguous communications, prevent the trivialisation of gambling among young people and regulate the use of online influencers.
New European standards: identifying warning signs
The third session highlighted a new European tool: a common standard for detecting signs of vulnerability in players. Presented by Dr Maris Catania and moderated by Vasiliki Panousi, the webinar introduced a technical framework designed to improve the early detection of risky behaviour.
The stakes are high. European operators are now seeking to automate the analysis of problematic behaviour. The introduction of a shared standard paves the way for unprecedented harmonisation at European level, finally enabling more consistent and reliable assessment.
The fight against the black market: a persistent threat
Another highlight was the session devoted to the black market, which is often invisible to the public but omnipresent in the gaming ecosystem. The panel brought together Ed Birkin (H2 Gambling Capital), David Foster (Entain) and Gustaf Hoffstedt (BOS), moderated by Dr Maris Catania. Here again, the figures and analyses were striking.
The black market represents unfair competition, but above all a direct danger to players who are exposed to it without protection, control or recourse. Several speakers described its impact: loss of tax revenue, increased exposure to money laundering and a total lack of preventive measures.
Transforming analysis into concrete solutions
The fifth session, bringing together Dr Michael Auer (Neccton), Ryan Heslop (Flutter), David Sproson (EPIC Global Solutions) and Yardena Almagor (Mindway AI), focused on a now essential pillar: data.
Beyond the accumulation of information, the challenge lies in the ability to translate this data into effective decisions. The experts showed how the intelligent use of behavioural indicators can improve prevention, refine interventions and build predictive tools. This webinar highlighted a consensus: without scientific analysis, protection remains theoretical.
Building trust: KYC, fraud and player safety
Finally, the sixth session, organised in partnership with Sumsub, addressed compliance and security issues with Dr Ekaterina Hartmann (EGBA) and Martina Dixey (Playtech), moderated by Kris Galloway.
At the heart of the discussions were player identity, the fight against fraud and the role of KYC (Know Your Customer) in an ever-changing digital environment. The central message was clear: the integrity of the sector depends directly on operators’ ability to identify their users, protect their data and prevent illegal activity.
A busy week and a renewed commitment
The EGBA announced that the full results of European Safer Gambling Week will be published next week. The event featured a dynamic social media campaign, driven by the hashtag #ESGW25, as well as 23 events organised across Europe.
This mobilisation reflects a growing awareness across the continent that online gambling can only grow by simultaneously strengthening security, transparency and responsibility.