The European Gaming and Betting Association (EGBA) has announced unparalleled engagement in its fourth annual European Safer Gambling Week.
The 2024 initiative unfolded from November 18 to 24, leveraging social media platforms and hosting various events to promote responsible gambling practices and foster cooperation within the industry.
This year’s European Safer Gambling Week marked a significant milestone with 195 partners participating, reflecting a 20% increase from 2023. The involvement of eight national gambling authorities, more than double the previous year’s number, highlighted the growing commitment, as they actively engaged on social media and contributed to event discussions.
The campaign spanned across 26 countries, a 30% growth compared to the previous year. New participants included Croatia, Serbia, Slovakia, and Ukraine, with social media content made accessible in the native languages of 27 countries.
Participating countries comprised Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Gibraltar, Greece, Hungary, Italy, Latvia, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Serbia, Slovakia, Spain, Sweden, and Ukraine.
Maarten Haijer, Secretary General of the EGBA, remarked on the event’s success as a testament to the industry’s dedication to safeguarding players. The growing involvement from health organizations and regulatory bodies underscores a shared mission and an increasing alignment in advancing safer gambling practices.
The campaign reached a sizable audience of 3.1 million users across diverse social media outlets like Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, and X. The number of posts surged by 67% from the previous year, totaling 1,169.
An array of 20 specialized events occurred, representing an 11% rise from 2023. These events attracted 4,500 registrations and 3,000 individuals attended, delving into topics such as AI trends, problem gambling reporting, and innovative strategies in safer gambling communication.
These events featured 105 speakers, including prominent figures from gambling regulators in Belgium, Denmark, France, and the UK.
Haijer further stated, “Our joint efforts have successfully conveyed critical safety messages to a record number of Europeans during this campaign. We are dedicated to enhancing the safety of gambling and are already eager to expand upon this achievement in next year’s iteration.”
