EGBA asks for a standardized list of markers of harm to support safer online gambling

According to a standardization proposal that the European Gaming and Betting Association (EGBA) has submitted to the European Committee for Standardization (CEN), a European standard on markers of harm would support the early identification of possible risky or problem gambling behavior of online players.

The CEN, the body responsible for developing standards in Europe, is currently conducting a ballot of its members, the national standardization bodies (NSBs) of European countries, to determine whether the proposal should be approved. NSBs have until the end of December 2022 to vote. If the proposal is adopted, relevant stakeholders, including academics, health experts, authorities, operators, and consumer organizations, will be able to participate in the discussions to develop the standard. Earlier this week, a group of leading academics signed a joint letter of support for the markers of harm standard, indicating that its development would encourage research collaboration to improve the understanding of problem gambling and support harm prevention in Europe. “We urge national standardization bodies, gambling authorities, and other stakeholders to support this common-sense proposal to jointly develop a standard on markers of harm in Europe. A standard would be an essential element to help prevent risky and problem gambling behavior and support consumer protection. The process to develop the standard would bring together the knowledge and expertise of academics, researchers, harm prevention experts and other stakeholders to work collaboratively towards the common purpose of preventing gambling-related harm”, said Maarteen Haijer, Secretary General, EGBA.