The European Gaming and Betting Association (EGBA) has published its Sustainability Report 2024, highlighting a record-breaking use of safer gambling tools. According to the association’s latest report, 65% of European customers are now leveraging responsible gambling features to moderate their habits.
The figure means that a record 21 million customers across Europe are now using safety tools, half of which do so voluntarily, the EGBA reported. This marks a 14% year-on-year increase, underscoring the effectiveness of the association’s safer gambling strategy.
Key data from the report showed that deposit limits were the most popular safer gambling tool. Of all customers who used the tools available to them voluntarily, 70% had set deposit limits.
In addition, the EGBA said that its member operators have sent a record 67.6 million messages to their customers to promote responsible gambling, up 49% year-on-year. The organization added that 23 million of those messages were personalized based on a customer’s gaming behavior.
70% of the personalized messages, the EGBA elaborated, were delivered via on-screen pop-ups. Another 25% were sent to players via email.
The EGBA further added that 80% of its members’ employees (approximately 45,000) had received dedicated safer gambling training.
Additionally, 65% of the customers who displayed potentially problematic play either improved or stabilized their play following safety messages. The EGBA said that 45% improved their play, 10% stabilized their play and 10% refrained from playing.
The association pointed out that 32% of these customers had voluntarily activated safety tools in response to operators’ messages.
Citing further statistics, the EGBA remarked that the total number of customers was up 4% year-on-year to 32.5 million. The gap between male and female players narrowed slightly as the share of female customers increased from 26% to 28%. The majority of customers (59%) were aged between 26 and 50.
The EGBA also reported its social contributions progress, saying that its members allocated €61.2 million to problem gambling research, education and treatment services since the previous report. An additional €151.4 million was donated to charities and community initiatives in the region.
At the same time, operators succeeded in maintaining a fair balance between male and female employees. Out of the 58,633 employees in European gaming, 57% were male and 43% female.
Last but not least the industry’s energy consumption stood at 253.4 GWh, 71.8% of which was sourced from renewable energy. Greenhouse gas emissions amounted to 0.93 million tons CO2e.
Maarten Haijer, EGBA’s secretary general, commented on the report, expressing excitement about the multiple improvements. He said that they demonstrate the collective efforts to make gambling safer and more sustainable.
