Europe Gets Closer to a Single Standard for Spotting Gambling Problems

Summary

National standardisation bodies have backed a draft European framework designed to identify risky gambling behaviour. The European Committee for Standardisation (CEN) approved the draft on 25 September; it will undergo CEN’s formal completion steps, including translation and administrative checks, with a planned release in early 2026.

Originally proposed by the European Gaming and Betting Association (EGBA) in 2022, the framework defines common “harm markers” — behavioural signs such as sudden increases in play time, unusual shifts in betting patterns, or attempts to chase losses — that could indicate a player is at risk. The project was overseen by Dr Maris Catania with AFNOR coordinating and drew input from universities, regulators, industry and harm-prevention groups.

Key Points

CEN approved a draft Europe-wide framework for spotting risky gambling behaviour on 25 September; release expected early 2026.
The framework establishes common “harm markers” (eg rapid rises in play time, odd betting shifts, chasing losses) to help spot at-risk players earlier.
It was proposed by EGBA in 2022 and developed with academics, regulators, operators and prevention groups; AFNOR coordinated the effort.
The standard will be voluntary for regulators and operators but is expected to be widely used as a benchmark across national markets.
Widespread adoption could standardise protections, encourage earlier intervention, strengthen regulated markets and reduce the appeal of unlicensed providers.

Context and Relevance

European gambling regulation is currently fragmented: some countries impose strict rules, others rely more on operators. A shared set of harm markers offers a consistent yardstick for regulators and a practical toolkit for operators to intervene earlier. As online gambling grows and cross-border activity increases, a harmonised approach to identifying risk could improve player protection and regulatory coherence across the single market.

Why should I read this?

Quick and simple: if you work in regulation, operator compliance, consumer protection or industry policy, this could reshape how risky play is spotted across Europe. It’s the first time a Europe-wide benchmark for harm markers has progressed this far — worth a skim if you want to stay ahead of likely changes to practice and enforcement.