EGBA and CEN Release Voluntary European Standard on Markers of Harm in Gambling

The European Committee for Standardisation (CEN) has published the final version of the European Standard on markers of harm in gambling, designated EN 18144. This follows years of collaborative work spearheaded by the European Betting and Gaming Association (EGBA).

The voluntary standard identifies nine core markers of player behaviour that operators can track to detect risky patterns and intervene earlier. It is positioned as a baseline for building player protection frameworks across Europe, complementing rather than replacing national regulations.

As someone who has spent decades observing the evolution of gaming regulation and responsible play initiatives, I see this as a constructive step toward greater consistency. The industry has long needed practical tools that operators can adopt without waiting for every jurisdiction to legislate identical requirements.

Nine Behavioural Markers at the Core

The standard outlines specific shifts for operators to monitor. These include changes in stake volume and frequency, speed and intensity of play, deposit frequency and size, withdrawals, player-initiated contact, gaming session durations, use of multiple gambling products, accumulated net losses and loss projections, and interaction with safety tools such as deposit limits or self-exclusions.

By focusing on these observable behaviours, the framework gives operators concrete signals rather than relying solely on self-reported data. This data-driven approach aligns with the direction the industry has been moving for several years.

Maarten Haijer, Secretary General of EGBA, stated: “This is an important milestone for player protection in Europe. When widely adopted, this voluntary standard will lead to earlier identification of risky play and, ultimately, better protection for players.”

He added that EGBA members are already applying many aspects of the standard and are committed to alignment across their European operations.

Years in the Making

Work on the standard began in 2022 when EGBA introduced the proposal to CEN. The trade body then collaborated with European operators, national authorities, academics, and harm prevention specialists.

That effort culminated in October 2025 with approval by CEN and its participating national bodies. The final publication this week marks the transition from development to availability.

The standard is explicitly voluntary. It aims to supplement existing national regulatory frameworks rather than impose a new layer of mandates.

Operators seeking the full document can access it directly from CEN’s website.

Strategic and Operational Implications for Operators

For gaming executives, the standard offers a unified reference point amid varied national rules. Client-partners operating across multiple European markets can use these nine markers to harmonise their risk detection systems without reinventing policies for each jurisdiction.

This consistency can reduce compliance friction and improve the effectiveness of interventions. Early identification of risky play patterns supports both player protection and sustainable business operations.

The emphasis on behavioural tracking also reflects the broader convergence of data analytics and responsible gaming. Operators that integrate these markers into their existing platforms may gain a competitive edge in demonstrating accountability to regulators and stakeholders.

Risks, Limitations, and Counterarguments

One clear limitation is the voluntary nature of EN 18144. Without mandatory adoption, uptake may vary significantly between larger operators and smaller providers or across different member states.

There is a risk that the standard becomes little more than a signalling exercise for some market participants. If adoption remains uneven, the goal of raising the bar across Europe could fall short.

Additionally, the markers focus on observable behaviours but do not prescribe exact intervention thresholds or remediation steps. Operators will still need to develop their own policies, which could lead to inconsistent application even among those who commit to the standard.

These limitations do not diminish the milestone. They simply underscore that voluntary tools work best when industry leaders treat them as minimum baselines rather than maximum efforts.

The Bottom Line

The publication of EN 18144 represents a structural shift toward standardised, behaviour-based player protection in Europe. EGBA’s leadership and CEN’s approval provide operators with a practical framework that can drive earlier interventions and better outcomes.

Executives should evaluate how these nine markers fit into their current systems and consider alignment across their operations. The real test will be widespread adoption that moves the needle on responsible play without adding unnecessary friction.

This is the type of collaborative progress the industry needs. I will be watching how quickly operators integrate these markers and what impact follows in the months ahead.