New standard identifies nine core markers that could predict risky gambling behaviour
The European Committee for Standardisation (CEN) has adopted a set of standard markers to help identify risky gambling behaviour.
The adoption of the European standard on markers of harm in gambling has been lauded by the European Gaming and Betting Association (EGBA), which first proposed the initiative to CEN in 2022 and actively participated in its development alongside national authorities and other stakeholders.
The standard establishes a strong baseline for consumer protection across Europe, identifying nine core behavioural markers that operators can use to recognise risky gambling patterns before they escalate.
Core behavioural markers:
- changes in stake volume or frequency
- speed or intensity of play
- deposit frequency, size, or failed deposits
- withdrawals and cancelled withdrawals
- player-initiated contact
- gambling session duration or time-of-day play
- use of multiple products
- net losses or loss trajectories over time
- changes to safety tools such as limits and self-exclusion
“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,” said EGBA secretary general Maarten Haijer.
“Our members are ahead of the curve on implementation – they are already applying many aspects of the standard and are committed to alignment across their European operations. We encourage other operators to adopt the standard and help raise the bar on player protection across Europe.”
The new standard is the first of its kind in the gambling industry and received overwhelming approval from national standardisation bodies in October 2025.