Eight EU member states participated in the session—Croatia, Cyprus, Czechia, Hungary, Malta, Poland, Portugal, and Slovenia—with observers attending from Bulgaria, Denmark, and Spain.
2026 Work Plan and National Policy Updates
The Advisory Group reviewed the project’s 2026 work plan, which centers on feasibility studies designed to help each participating nation identify and implement best practices tailored to their national contexts.
Participating countries shared updates on recent legislation and policy initiatives addressing digital addictions, with particular emphasis on how online gaming and gambling activities affect children and young people. The exchange allowed member states to compare regulatory approaches and identify common challenges in protecting youth from online gaming-related harms.
Key Project Deliverables and Research Findings
The meeting examined three significant outputs developed during the project’s initial phase:
- A situation analysis report documenting current national responses to online gambling and gaming risks facing children and youth
- A comprehensive review of international good practices in youth protection
- A blueprint communication strategy to support public awareness campaigns targeting young people and families
The Advisory Group also received an expert technical paper outlining recommendations for improving data collection methods across member states. The proposed methodologies aim to establish more consistent and comparable data frameworks, strengthening the evidence base available to policymakers when designing regulations and prevention measures.
Enhanced Data Collection for Evidence-Based Policy
The technical paper addresses a critical gap in understanding youth exposure to online gambling and gaming. By implementing standardized data collection approaches, member states will be better positioned to identify patterns of use, measure harm indicators, and track emerging trends.
This enhanced data infrastructure will enable authorities to develop interventions specifically calibrated to the needs of children and adolescents, moving beyond one-size-fits-all approaches to more targeted prevention strategies.
About the TSI Project
The two-year initiative is co-funded by the European Union through the Technical Support Instrument and implemented by the Council of Europe in partnership with the European Commission. The project supports national authorities in developing comprehensive policies, practical tools, and awareness strategies to reduce online gambling and gaming risks among young people across participating member states.
Source: Council of Europe
