European operators and gaming associations join forces for a new edition of the Safer Gambling Week

The European Gaming and Betting Association (EGBA)'s latest edition of the European Safer Gambling Week (ESGW) starts today, Monday, October 17, and will run through Sunday, October 23. The cross-industry initiative to promote safer gambling in Europe will see the whole industry coming together in a concerted effort to raise awareness of safer gambling, the tools that are available to help, and sources of further advice and support. 

The ESGW is an annual cross-border initiative to promote safer gambling in Europe and was established by EGBA in 2021. The Safer Gambling Week campaign will see a blitz of safer gambling messages both online and in land-based venues, to spark a wide conversation about betting responsibly.

This year’s edition is being organized by thirteen European gambling associations, including the EGBA and its members, and there will be a range of events and practical activities organized across Europe to raise awareness about safer gambling. The agenda for the week can be found here. The associations participating include: AOJND (Romania); APAJO (Portugal); BAGO (Belgium); BGC (UK); BOS (Sweden); EGBA (EU); IBA (Ireland); IBIA (Global); iGEN (Malta); JDigital (Spain); LIAB (Latvia); NBO (Norway); and NOGA (Netherlands).

Safer Gambling Week 2022 starts today!

Throughout the week we will providing lots of information so you can equip yourself with the knowledge and tools to gamble safely.

For help, advice & information visit: https://t.co/ba9t2Eqj0B#SGWeek22 pic.twitter.com/CO6u3dtD6s

— Safer Gambling Week (@SGWeek) October 17, 2022

Andrew Rhodes, Chief Executive of the UK Gambling Commission, said: "Any opportunity to shine a national spotlight on the importance of gambling safely and securely is important." The UK is hosting its UK Safer Gambling Week within the framework of the ESGW, an annual campaign to promote safer gambling across the UK and Ireland, now in its fifth year.

"Safer Gambling Week provides that platform but also gives an additional chance for operators to collaborate and share best practices around how they protect their customers. The safety of customers should be at the heart of each and every decision operators make," he added.

Andrew Rhodes

The UK's annual campaign will build upon the record-breaking Safer Gambling Week 2021 during which the promotion and awareness of safer gambling tools such as deposit limits led to an increase of 17% in their use vs the previous 4-week average. The number of social media impressions for Safer Gambling Week 2021 – hit 24.5 million, an increase of 16% from the previous year. And sessions on the Safer Gambling website in 2021 were 79% up on the previous year.

A UK Gambling Commission report showed that the problem gambling rate in the year to March 2022 was 0.2% – down from 0.4% the year previous and down from 0.3% in the last published annualized figures in February 2022.

BGC chair Brigid Simmons said: “Safer gambling is, of course, for all year round. But very good to have a focus where we encourage our customers and indeed our members to think about safer gambling, how we can encourage people to take up the tools that are available."

Ask yourself…are you past your spending limit?

Find out more: https://t.co/mkr24s644S #SGWeek22 pic.twitter.com/bHfB2ST3B6

— Safer Gambling Week (@SGWeek) October 17, 2022

“Safer Gambling Week is further evidence of the regulated industry’s determination to keep raising standards,” said Michael Dugher, CEO of the BGC. “Safer Gambling Week is about showcasing safer gambling tools – like timeouts and deposit limits – that exist in the regulated industry to ensure that the millions of people who enjoy a regular flutter continue to do so in a safe and responsible environment.”

Safer Gambling Week provides an opportunity to go even further by encouraging businesses and organizations to start a conversation, not only with staff and customers but also with their friends and family, organizers claim. The annual campaign provides "a consistent voice" to raise awareness of safer gambling, highlighting support and the tools that are available throughout the year.