EGBA backs EN 18144 standard on responsible online gambling
Europe’s online gambling sector has taken a further step towards greater harmonisation of consumer protection practices. The European Gaming and Betting Association (EGBA) has welcomed the publication of European standard EN 18144, the first common technical framework dedicated to identifying potentially risky gambling behaviour through analysis of so-called “markers of harm”.
The standard, developed within the European Committee for Standardization (CEN), introduces a shared model to help online gambling operators recognise certain behavioural changes at an early stage that could indicate an increased risk for the user.
The technical reference document is EN 18144:2025, “Online gambling – Markers of harm in support of identification and prevention of risky and problem gambling behaviour”. Following its approval in 2025, the standard was made available through European national standardisation bodies, marking a new phase for its practical application in the sector.
EGBA, which in 2022 submitted the proposal underpinning the initiative to CEN, considers the introduction of the standard an important step towards greater harmonisation of prevention tools and more effective player protection in Europe’s responsible online gambling market.
EN 18144: a model based on early risk identification
The new standard was created to provide operators with a common set of behavioural indicators for use in responsible gambling systems. Unlike a purely reactive approach, based on intervention when a problem is already evident, EN 18144 aims to support the preliminary identification of possible risk signals through analysis of user activity on digital platforms.
The document specifies, however, a central point: the markers identified do not constitute a clinical diagnosis of gambling addiction and do not automatically determine the presence of problematic behaviour. Their function is to provide useful elements for an overall risk assessment, based on the evolution of the player’s habits and the interaction between different behavioural signals. In this sense, the standard introduces a methodology that emphasises the responsible use of data, turning it into a tool for prevention and consumer protection support.
Nine indicators identified by the European standard
At the core of the EN 18144 standard are nine main categories of behavioural indicators that can help operators identify any significant changes in users’ gambling patterns.
One of the first elements analysed concerns betting volume, with observation of any significant changes in the amounts wagered compared with the consumer’s usual behaviour. Another indicator concerns the speed and intensity of gambling, taking into account the pace of activity and the frequency with which new bets are placed.
Significant attention is also given to behaviour linked to deposits, including changes in deposit frequency, deposit amounts, or incomplete deposit attempts. Among the elements monitored is the cancellation of withdrawals, a behaviour considered relevant for analysing potential risk signals because it may indicate a player’s decision to continue using funds initially intended for withdrawal.
The EN 18144 standard also includes contacts initiated by the player with the operator, the overall length of gambling sessions, activity during certain time bands, simultaneous use of different gambling products, and the evolution of net losses over time. A further indicator concerns the user’s relationship with responsible gambling tools, such as changes to personal limits, use of temporary breaks, or self-exclusion systems.
Why the indicators must be analysed together
One of the most important aspects introduced by the standard concerns how these signals should be interpreted. EN 18144 emphasises that a single indicator, considered in isolation, is not sufficient to determine the presence of problematic behaviour. A change in betting, for example, may have different meanings depending on the context and must be assessed alongside other elements, such as session length, loss patterns, deposit frequency, or changes in the use of protection tools.
The approach promoted by the document therefore focuses on an overall assessment of the player’s behaviour, avoiding automatic interpretations and supporting more proportionate interventions.
A project built with operators, experts and regulators
The development of the EN 18144 standard resulted from a collaborative process initiated following EGBA’s proposal to CEN. Representatives of the online gambling industry, national authorities, researchers, and experts involved in studying and preventing gambling-related harm contributed to the document’s definition.
The objective was to create a tool that could be applied in practice by operators and grounded in knowledge developed through scientific research on player behaviour. The approval of the standard therefore represents an attempt to move beyond the fragmentation of different national approaches through a shared technical reference point.
EGBA operators move towards alignment with the standard
According to EGBA, most of its member operators already monitor all nine behavioural indicators identified by the EN 18144 standard, with several operators having integrated them into their operational activities.
Leading European companies in the sector have progressively developed risk assessment models based on analysis of user behaviour, with the aim of identifying potential situations of vulnerability at an early stage.
The association confirmed that its members will continue the process of aligning with the standard across the different European jurisdictions in which they operate.
EGBA Secretary general Maarten Haijer described the introduction of the standard as an important milestone for improving consumer protection, stressing that its broad adoption could help raise standards across the entire sector.
A voluntary standard that complements national rules
EN 18144 remains voluntary and does not introduce new direct regulatory obligations for operators. The document was designed to be integrated with the regulatory frameworks already in force in individual European countries, while respecting the powers of the different national authorities. In some markets, specific indicators may be applied differently if they conflict with local regulations, particularly regarding data processing or operational procedures. This flexibility allows the standard to serve as a common reference point without replacing national legislation.
This article was originally published on the Italian SiGMA News page on 3 June 2026.
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