The European Committee for Standardisation (CEN) has rolled out EN 18144, a new voluntary standard aimed at enhancing consumer protection in the gambling sector across Europe. This initiative outlines nine key behavioral markers for monitoring potentially harmful gambling activities. It’s now available for purchase from national standardization bodies throughout Europe.
In This News
Details of EN 18144 Standard
EN 18144 is designed to help operators identify risky gambling behaviors before problems escalate. The standard, which complements existing national regulations, may not apply in all jurisdictions due to local legal conflicts. The nine behavioral markers include changes in stake volume or frequency, speed of play, and patterns in deposit and withdrawal activities. Other indicators are shifts in gambling session duration, use of multiple products, net losses, and alterations to safety tools like self-exclusion. The European Gaming and Betting Association (EGBA) spearheaded the initiative in 2022, collaborating with a variety of stakeholders, including operators and national authorities, to bring it to fruition. The EGBA hailed the publication as a pioneering step in industry standards.
Industry Response to the New Standard
Operators are encouraged to use these markers by implementing risk-scoring models to assess player behaviors continuously. According to the EGBA, its members are already monitoring all nine indicators and are committed to aligning their protection frameworks with the standard. Maarten Haijer, EGBA’s Secretary General, emphasized the significance of this development for player safety in Europe. “When widely adopted, this voluntary standard will lead to earlier identification of risky play and, ultimately, better protection for players,” he stated. The EGBA maintains that its members, which include several online gambling operators across Europe, are already ahead in implementing these standards. Haijer encouraged other operators to follow suit to elevate player protection across the region.
Regulatory and Market Context
The adoption of EN 18144 comes amid an increasing focus on consumer protection within the global gambling industry. European regulators have been clamping down on gambling-related harm, and this new standard fits into a broader trend of tightening regulations. While some jurisdictions may choose not to implement all nine markers due to conflicting national laws, the introduction of this standard marks a major step towards more unified player safety measures across the continent. The timing of the standard is worth noting — it follows several years of heightened scrutiny from regulatory bodies, which have been pressing operators to improve their responsible gambling measures. Observers will be watching closely to see how many operators adopt the standard and its impact on the industry.
What’s Next for Operators
Operators across Europe now face the challenge of integrating these standards into their existing systems. The EGBA’s call for wide adoption suggests that industry players not yet aligned with EN 18144 will need to consider making adjustments. Although the standard is voluntary, its widespread adoption could set a new benchmark for consumer protection in gambling. And the continued monitoring and reporting of implementation progress will be critical. But the industry will be keeping a keen eye on how these guidelines are adopted and whether they effectively reduce gambling-related harm.
Garry Sputnim is a seasoned journalist and storyteller with over a decade of experience in the trenches of global news. With a keen eye for uncovering stories that resonate, Alex has reported from over 30 countries, bringing light to untold narratives and the human faces behind the headlines. Specializing in investigative journalism, Garry has a knack for technology and social justice issues, weaving compelling narratives that bridge tech and humanity. Outside the newsroom, Garry is an avid rock climber and podcast host, exploring stories of resilience and innovation.
