With demands on safer gambling continuing to grow across European countries, it’s important that gambling companies take their representation in society seriously to ensure the sector has a sustainable future. If we don’t, society will respond, and ever stricter regulation will become inevitable and impact our ability to continue to do business. As companies and associations, we all need to work closer together towards a stronger culture of responsibility and cooperation so that the industry is better organised and represented.

Because there are way too many operators that sit on the periphery of our sector, don’t contribute to the representation of the sector, and choose not to participate to trade associations like EGBA.

Responsibility certainly requires commitment and resources. But there are some simple rules which companies can follow. Become a member of a trade association if you aren’t already. Invest in relationships with wider stakeholders and our critics. Help develop local industry codes of conduct and apply these. Meet regularly with the political and regulatory leaderships to identify issues and find solutions. Be open, honest, and transparent about your activities. Invest in strengthening the industry voice.

Many of the challenges faced by the sector are common and cross-border in nature and that is why greater cooperation between companies and associations is so important. Enhanced cooperation, particularly around safer gambling, can help industry actors to share information, learnings, and best practices about self-regulatory initiatives that work well, and those that don’t, and create a more supportive ecosystem to amplify the industry voice.

Maarten Haijer

Secretary General, EGBA

With the assistance of: https://www.egba.eu/