The CEOs of the member companies of the European Gaming and Betting Association (EGBA) have committed to increasing safer gambling efforts across Europe’s online gambling sector.

In the body’s first-ever annual Sustainability Report, EGBA members have committed to the greater deployment of safer gambling tools and increased communications.

The yearly report aims to “support accountability, transparency and reinforce a strong culture of safer gambling in Europe’s online gambling sector,” EGBA stated.

The 2020/21 report outlines the joint efforts and progress made by member companies to promote safer gambling, protect players, and ultimately contribute positively to society in Europe.

Key data highlights from 2020 include 75% of customers having at least one safer gambling tool activated - either mandatorily or voluntarily - on their online betting accounts, an increase from 61% of customers in 2019.

A total of 14.2 million generic communications were sent to customers to promote safer gambling, while 2.8 million personalised communications were sent. And voluntary contributions to European sport through sponsorships and sports streaming rights payments totalled €408m ($481.30m), a 20% increase from 2019.

“EGBA and its members are committed to lead from the front on safer gambling and our yearly sustainability report is part of our commitment to be accountable and transparent about our activities, track our progress and support our overall efforts to put safer gambling at the heart of what we do,” said EGBA Secretary General Maarten Haijer.

“The personal commitment of the CEOs to achieve these objectives is vital and welcomed. It is very encouraging to see that our members are already putting their commitment into action through the greater deployment of safer gambling tools and by communicating more than ever before to their customers about safer gambling, and in an increasingly personalised and targeted way.”