Safer gambling messaging sees 20 per cent growth in 2022

According to the third annual sustainability report of the European Gaming and Betting Association (EGBA), its members increased their efforts to promote safer gambling last year, sending 45.5 million safer gambling messages to their customers, which represents a 20 per cent yearly increase. 48 per cent of these communications were sent to individual customers in direct response to their actual playing behavior, up from 40 per cent the previous year.

EGBA’s 2022/2023 report outlines the joint effort and progress made by the association and its members to promote safe and sustainable gambling and contribute positively to society in Europe. “We are delighted that our members continue to make positive progress in their efforts to promote safer gambling. This is all part of their commitment to put a sustainable approach to gambling at the heart of what they do. The contribution of our CEOs in this report demonstrates their personal and crucial commitment to the collective sustainability drive of the association”, said Marteen Haijer, Secretary General, EGBA. Before adding: “We are particularly pleased this year to expand the scope of our sustainability reporting and to publish for the first-time new data points about our members’ progress in the areas of employment and diversity, as well as metrics on energy and environmental performance”.

Last year, the total number of customers accounts increased by 5 per cent to 31.2 million. The report shows that the number of customers using at least one safer gambling tool increased to 18.4 million and 30 per cent of them used a safety tool voluntarily. Deposit limits were the most popular safer gambling tool, accounting for 67 per cent of the tools used by customers. It also underlines that 51 per cent of the customers intervened with about their gambling behavior reduced their financial losses in the three-month period immediately following intervention. Furthermore, contributions to problem gambling research, education and treatment in Europe increased to €49 million, which represents a 109 per cent yearly increase.