EGBA: Regular problem gambling reports ‘would benefit all sector stakeholders’

The European Gaming and Betting Association’s (EGBA) Secretary General, Maarten Haijer, has highlighted the importance of a ‘common mentoring and reporting framework’ following the results of a new study.

Pan-European research by the City, University of London of 20 countries found that 12 have regular national surveys about problem gambling prevalence, although there are ‘significant differences’ in how these nation’s employ measurement tools and methodologies. 

A major difficulty presented by these differences – which relate to survey methods, screening tools, survey timings and target age groups – makes comparison between these countries difficult, with the problem gambling rate across all 12 varying from 0.3% to 6.4% of adults, according to the EGBA-commissioned study. 

Haijer remarked: “Our members are fully committed to promoting a stronger culture of safer gambling in Europe and through this study we aim to contribute positively to the understanding of problem gambling and its prevalence in Europe.”

EGBA detailed that it hopes the study will lead to a better understanding of problem gambling and drive ‘open and inclusive’ dialogue between stakeholders concerning best practice. 

The organisation also detailed a need for ‘more common understandings’ about and a ‘more common approach’ towards problem gambling, its prevalence, monitoring and reporting, as well as evidence-based approaches to reducing harm associated with the issue.

“The significant differences in the way in which problem gambling is monitored and reported in Europe clearly stands out from the study,” Haijer continued. 

“A shift towards a more common and regular monitoring and reporting framework for problem gambling would benefit all gambling sector stakeholders and support more effective and evidence-based prevention policies.”

EGBA has repeatedly reiterated its standpoint on information sharing and the adoption of common approaches and principles in order to counter issues in the gambling industry, particularly with relation to compliance, social responsibility and security. 

The continental trade association created an expert group earlier this year to facilitate the sharing of best practice with regards to cyber threats and attacks, and has promoted the use of a ‘European Digital Identity’ (E-ID) as ‘a streamlined method for compliance’.