European Safer Gambling Week Sees Record Participation Across 26 Countries

European Safer Gambling Week 2024 Sets New Records with Unprecedented Participation Across 26 Countries

Brussels, 10 December 2024 – The European Gaming and Betting Association (EGBA) has announced record-breaking results for its fourth annual European Safer Gambling Week, held from 18–24 November. This year’s campaign achieved new heights in participation, engagement, and geographic reach, underscoring the industry’s growing commitment to safer gambling practices.

With 195 partners across 26 countries – a 20% increase in participation compared to 2023 – the initiative marked a significant milestone. Eight national gambling authorities joined the campaign, more than doubling last year’s participation, by contributing to the social media campaign or speaking at events.

For the first time, partners from Croatia, Serbia, Slovakia, and Ukraine participated, contributing to a 30% expansion in geographic reach. Campaign materials were also made available in 27 local languages, helping foster greater inclusivity and impact across Europe.

The social media campaign experienced remarkable growth, reaching 3.1 million users on platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, and X. A total of 1,169 social media posts – a 67% year-on-year increase – amplified the campaign’s messaging.

A key feature of this year’s event was its robust events programme, comprising 20 specialised sessions – an 11% increase from 2023. These events attracted 4,500 registrations and 3,000 attendees, who engaged in discussions on AI trends, problem gambling reporting, and innovations in safer gambling tools. Contributions from 105 speakers, including officials from gambling authorities in Belgium, Denmark, France, and the UK, enriched the programme.

Building on the EGBA members’ year-round commitment to player protection, which saw 67 million safety messages sent to European customers in 2023, the week-long initiative reinforced ongoing efforts and encouraged collaboration among operators, regulators, and harm prevention organisations.

“The record participation and engagement this year highlight the sector’s unwavering commitment to safer gambling,” said Maarten Haijer, Secretary General of EGBA. “The inclusion of more health organisations and regulatory authorities signals a shared purpose in promoting player protection. By reaching millions of Europeans with vital safety messages, we are collectively making gambling safer. We look forward to building on this momentum for next year’s campaign.”

Participating Countries: 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.Campaign Impact: Social media reach measured using an online tool (#ESGW24), reflecting the number of unique users exposed to campaign content across multiple platforms.