SBC News EGBA - Operators must ensure highest responsibility standards as Europe returns to lockdown

EGBA – Operators must ensure highest responsibility standards as Europe returns to lockdown

The European Gaming and Betting Association (EGBA) has reaffirmed its commitment to safer online gambling and responsible advertising by ‘outlining essential measures which gambling companies should rigorously apply to protect their customers’.

With the support of 15 online gambling associations, the EGBA stated that the renewed commitment comes at a time when more European countries are facing further COVID-19 related restrictions.

The EGBA believes that gambling companies should be more vigilant over the ways that they promote safer gambling and protect their customers, particularly those who are vulnerable, during the global pandemic.

“The reintroduction of coronavirus restrictions poses significant challenges for Europe’s society. This guidance is intended to help fellow citizens and provides an opportunity for gambling companies to demonstrate their willingness to take responsibility during these challenging times,” explained Maarten Haijer, secretary-general of the EGBA. 

“These are simple but essential measures which all gambling companies should adopt to protect their customers, step up their social responsibility efforts and ensure their advertising is conducted in an ethical and responsible way. We urge all online gambling companies to adhere to them.”

To strengthen and promote safer gambling in these challenging times, a number of essential measures have been outlined which organisations have implored to rigorously apply to protect their customers. This is to ensure that:

  • Advertising does not refer to the coronavirus, coronavirus-related public health statements and/or any other coronavirus-related developments.
  • Advertising does not portray gambling as a solution to boredom or social, personal or financial problems.
  • Advertising and websites contain clear and visible information about minimum age restrictions, national problem gambling helplines and self-exclusion registers where possible.
  • Websites contain robust and rigorously enforced identity verification measures to verify the identity of new customers and prevent minors from gambling.
  • Websites contain clearly sign-posted safer gambling tools – such as deposit limits, time outs and self-exclusion tools – which customers can use to manage their gambling activity.
  • Customers are closely monitored for problematic gambling behaviour and the companies step up direct safer gambling interventions with their customers when appropriate.
  • New customers are duly informed of safer gambling tools when they sign up.

Check Also

EGBA 'confident of thorough investigation’ into legacy Dutch lottery licences

EGBA backs EU Parliament endorsement of new e-ID law 

The decision of the EU Parliament to approve the new European Digital Identity has been …

SBC News SRIJ Portugal sees 40% increase in gambling self exclusions

SRIJ Portugal sees 40% increase in gambling self exclusions

 Serviço de Regulação e Inspeção de Jogos (SRIJ), The Gambling Authority of Portugal has reported that …

STS - European Union flag on blue sky background

EGBA welcomes AMLA as unified supervisor of AML threats

The European Gaming and Betting Association (EGBA) has welcomed the European Council’s decision to make …