EGBA Sets Out Ethical Gambling Guidelines

The European Gaming and Betting Association has always been at the forefront of promoting ethical advertising and promotional standards across the European gambling community.

Maarten Haijer, Secretary General of the EGBA:

“EGBA is committed to driving standards across the online gambling sector and these are important measures which we think gambling companies should adopt to protect their customers and ensure their advertising is conducted in an ethical and socially responsible way. We urge all online gambling companies to adhere to them.”

The Brussels-based industry leader has been particularly vocal about how online casino and betting sites should comport themselves during the current health crisis. While it is necessary for businesses to maintain their online presence, they should also be considering the stresses and mental health of their customers and in no way abuse this for profit.

EGBA 2020 Ethical Marketing Guidelines

To create market clarity on their stance and the advertising pitfalls which gaming companies should seek to avoid the EGBA submitted a clear list of promotional guidelines for European gambling sites:

• Advertising does not refer to the virus, World Health Organisation (WHO) virus-related statements and/or any other virus-related developments.
• Advertising does not portray gambling as a solution to social, personal or financial problems or invites customers to gamble online as a solution to boredom.
• Advertising and websites contain signposted information about minimum age restrictions, national problem gambling helplines and national self-exclusion registers.
• Customers are closely monitored for problematic gambling behaviour, in compliance with GDPR provisions, and step up interventions when appropriate.
• Websites contain robust and rigorously enforced Know Your Customer (KYC) measures to verify the identity of new customers and prevent minors from gambling.
• Websites contain responsible gambling tools – such as deposit limits and self-exclusion tools – which are actively promoted and visible.

It is worth noting that the above standards relate specifically to incentives to gamble, promotional offers and any other measure that links emotional wellbeing and the potential for financial success to the current global health crisis. It does not include legitimate news coverage of the current situation.

 Unified European Gambling

While the EGBA felt it necessary to clarify its position with the announcement of these guidelines it should be noted that all of the above are already present in the European Commission’s “Recommendation 2014/478/EU on consumer protection in online gambling” which all participants have agreed to adhere to.

The list of European online gambling associations who support and adhere to these measures includes:

• AFJEL – Association Française des Opérateurs de Jeu en Ligne (France)
• APAJO – Associação Portuguesa de Apostas e Jogos Online (Portugal)
• BAGO – Belgian Association of Gaming Operators (Belgium)
• BGC – Betting and Gaming Council (UK)
• BOS – Branschföreningen för Onlinespel (Sweden)
• DOCV – Deutscher Online Casinoverband (Germany)
• DOGA – Danish Online Gambling Association (Denmark)
• DSWV – Deutscher Sportwettenverband (Germany)
• EGBA – European Gaming and Betting Association (Belgium)
• IBIA – International Betting Integrity Association (Belgium)
• iGEN – iGaming European Network (Malta)
• Jdigital– Asociación Española de Juego Digital (Spain)
• LOGiCO – Lega Operatori di Gioco su Canale Online (Italy)
• NBO – Norsk Bransjeforening for Onlinespill (Norway)
• OVWG – Österreichische Vereinigung für Wetten & Glücksspiel (Austria)
• Speel Verantwoord (Netherlands)

If you are a resident within any of these jurisdictions, we urge you to find an online casino partner that is approved by them. When it comes to fair play, ethical marketing standards and the assurance of a legal framework that supports you receiving your winnings when they’re due playing within the covering of your local regulatory body will always be the safest bet you can place.