Brussels approves new European standard on gambling harm indicators
Europe has taken a decisive step towards strengthening consumer protection in the online gambling industry. In Brussels, the European Committee for Standardisation (CEN) has approved by a large majority the project for a new standard on harm indicators, also known as markers of harm. These indicators are designed to detect early signs of risky gambling behaviour, giving operators a stronger tool for prevention.
The European Gaming and Betting Association (EGBA) welcomed the outcome of the vote, stressing that the consensus achieved marks a turning point for the industry’s future.
The importance of European collaboration
EGBA Secretary General, Maarten Haijer, emphasised that this achievement is the result of years of joint effort. “The outcome demonstrates what we can achieve when we work together to strengthen player protection across Europe,” he said. When EGBA first presented the initiative to CEN, the aim was to establish a shared framework that would allow operators and regulators to speak the same language in identifying and addressing risky behaviours.
Echoing this view, Vasiliki Panousi, Senior Manager EU Affairs at EGBA, underlined the long-standing commitment behind the project. “Seeing the extraordinary support received is extremely rewarding. This is the first European standard designed to identify problematic gambling behaviour and it will be an essential tool in preventing harm across Europe.”
The people behind the project
Credit has also gone to those who led the process on the ground. EGBA paid special thanks to Dr Maris Catania, who officially coordinated the project, and to the French standards body AFNOR, which acted as Secretariat at CEN. Academics, regulators, operators, and prevention experts also contributed to the initiative, bringing together expertise from across the continent.
The vote, concluded on 25 September, represents a crucial step but not the final one. The standard now needs to complete its formal finalisation process, including translations and procedural requirements. Publication is expected by early 2026, after which the standard will be available for voluntary adoption by regulators and operators across Europe.
What the harm indicators include
At the heart of the new standard are markers of harm: behavioural and financial signals that may point to problematic gambling. Among the key indicators are the frequency and size of bets, the speed of wagering, deposit and withdrawal patterns, cancelled withdrawals, contacts with customer support, time spent gambling, the type of products used, and the scale of financial losses.
The goal is not only to monitor behaviour but also to allow for targeted interventions to reduce risk. Operators will be able to use these guidelines to identify vulnerable players and implement preventative measures such as personalised spending limits, responsible gambling messages, or temporary account suspensions in cases of high-risk activity.
A notable feature of the framework is its flexibility. If certain jurisdictions prohibit the collection of specific data, operators may still comply with the standard by excluding only those markers that are restricted in that particular market.
Effectiveness and challenges in practice
Research over recent years has shown that harm indicators can significantly improve the early detection of problematic gambling behaviour. However, their effectiveness depends heavily on the quality of the data collected and on the operators’ ability to translate monitoring into concrete action.
The risk is that indicators remain a purely technical exercise without leading to real support for players. The challenge for the industry will therefore be to integrate these tools into active prevention strategies that ensure meaningful protection for consumers.
Future prospects for Europe’s gambling sector
The introduction of this standard represents a historic step forward in the regulation of gambling across Europe. If widely adopted, it could help create a safer and more responsible gambling environment, strengthen consumer trust, and enhance the industry’s reputation.
Its success will rely on cooperation between regulators, operators, and researchers, all tasked with refining criteria and methodologies on a scientific basis. In a fast-moving industry, shaped by technological innovation and an ever-expanding online market, advanced monitoring tools such as harm indicators can make a crucial difference in preventing gambling-related harm.
A decisive step towards 2026
The green light from Brussels for the CEN project sends a clear signal: player protection is now a shared European priority. With publication expected by 2026, the new standard on harm indicators is set to become a reference point for the entire online gambling sector.
The challenge ahead is to move from theory to practice, ensuring these tools do not remain on paper but translate into concrete measures that protect consumers and make gambling a safer, more sustainable experience for all.
This article was first published in Italian on 6 October 2025.
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