Europe ponders standardised markers of harm in online gambling
The European Committee of Standardisation (CEN) has confirmed that it will establish a common standard for the entire continent for markers of harm in all segments that fall under online gambling. This development comes a month after the proposal of standardizing support for player protection across Europe was filed by the European Betting and Gaming Association (EGBA).
The proposal was pushed by the EBGA in December 2022 and marks a strong start to efforts in 2023. ©Waldemar Brandt/Unsplash
CEN is a public standards organization that aids and assists business and trade in Europe by unifying the various standardization committees that exist across its nations. It also looks at fostering global trade across the entire continent of Europe. A part of CEN’s mission is also to focus on the welfare of European citizens by providing them with well-planned infrastructure in collaboration with the right authorities. After the latest development, the body will also set a European Standard for markers of harm in online gambling.
The EGBA is the gambling authority of the European continent responsible for regulating the gambling markets and issuing licenses to gambling operators. The authority works in correspondence with Europe’s individual authorities in an efficiently regulated market that also focuses on the protection of individuals that are participating in any kind of gambling activity on the continent. Like other authorities, the EGBA also keeps a keen eye out for unlicensed operators trying to enter the regulated markets and also looks at factors that may contribute to problematic gambling behaviors.
The Brussels-based regulator sent out an open proposal to CEN on December 13, 2022, in which they requested the establishment of a European Standard for markers of harm in online gambling to encourage safer online gambling and also to strengthen the shield that protects all European gambling participants. Markers of harm are essentially parameters that can indicate traits of harmful gambling in players. The early detection of harmful gambling can lead to early intervention, saving vulnerable players from far greater losses.
Safer gambling continues to be a key focus among European operators
In November 2022, Kindred’s flagship brand Unibet integrated a gambling site-blocking software into its system after joining hands with Gamban in France. The operator became the first online gambling service provider to offer such a functionality in the country. A few gambling operators in Europe have already added markers of harm to their interface. However, the list of behaviors that indicate harmful gambling is yet to be agreed upon and released to all authorities across the regulated markets of European countries.
The vote to establish a standard took place in December 2022, while the actual execution of the process is expected to begin in the first quarter of 2023. The process has been formulated to include the inputs of European stakeholders belonging to several sectors. Gambling authorities and operators will certainly be a part of this panel, but so will consumer organizations, health experts and more entities. CEN’s national delegation will preside over these important discussions. The standard established by the CEN will not be forced upon the markets as it will initially be a voluntary tool. However, it could turn into a legal compulsion in the future after everything that is planned is executed and in place.
The Secretary General of the EGBA, Maarten Haijer, expressed his delight after CEN announced the approval to create a European Standard to enhance the safety of online gambling.
“We’re delighted that CEN has approved EGBA’s proposal to establish a standardized list of markers of harm, and we thank its members for their support. This decision is a milestone and a significant step forward for safer gambling in Europe. We also thank our members for their strong commitment to safer gambling and unwavering support to make this proposal possible. The CEN process will provide a unique and valuable opportunity for key European stakeholders to pull together their resources and expertise to support safer gambling. We look forward to contributing the sector’s knowledge and experience to the process.”
Other movements to promote safer gambling in Europe
Kindred Group’s subsidiary Unibet may have become the first online gambling operator to offer gambling-site-blocking functionality via Gamban in France, but it is not the only operator doing something to contribute to and promote safety in the iGaming sector. In December 2022, the Danish Gambling Authority, Spillemyndigheden, amended three sections of their responsible gambling guide. Sections 2, 3, and 5 about the nation’s self-exclusion register (ROFUS), limits on betting deposits, and bonus offers, respectively, were altered to increase player safety and promote responsible gambling. Just a few weeks prior to this announcement, renowned casino and sports book operator, BetMGM, donated a sum of $180,000 to support a study on responsible gambling, which was conducted by the International Center for Responsible Gaming (ICRG).
In October 2022, the LeoVegas Group revealed that they were joining forces with the clinical neuroscience department of the Karolinska Institutet in Stockholm, Sweden. The operator, which is also based in Sweden, partnered with the institute for a four-year research project that entirely revolved around the identification of problem gambling. LeoVegas is funding the entire project and will provide the researchers with all the relevant data that is required.
