9th Safer Gambling Week: Play responsibly, play safely
The National Betting Authority (NBA) is organising the 9th Safer Gambling Week, drawing on four iconic figures from Greek mythology to highlight the importance of self-control, setting personal limits and early prevention
With its message being “Play responsibly, play safely”, the National Betting Authority sets the tone for the 9th Safer Gambling Week, which will take place between 12-18 October 2026, with a focus on prevention, self-control and safer participation in gambling. Bringing together the myths of the past with the behaviours of the present, this year’s campaign draws on four iconic figures from Greek mythology – Odysseus, Achilles, Midas and Icarus – to explore different aspects of human behaviour and how they can influence the way we approach gambling.
The choice of these four figures is no coincidence. Although their stories originated centuries ago, they continue to reflect behaviours and attitudes that remain relevant today such as the need for self-control and foresight, the belief that ‘it won’t happen to me’, greed and the desire for more, as well as overconfidence that can lead to poor decisions.
Through this year’s campaign, the NBA aims to shift the conversation from general awareness of risk towards the timely recognition of personal limits. How much time should I spend on gambling? How much money can I afford to spend? Can I stop whenever I want? Do I recognise when entertainment starts to become something more?
The Safer Gambling Week has now become a staple of the wider sector, with the National Betting Authority bringing together and collaborating with all stakeholders across the gaming industry as well as the public and private sectors. Throughout the Safer Gambling Week, the public will have the opportunity to learn more about safer gambling, the self-protection tools available to players, the potential harms associated with problem gambling and the support and treatment centres available to anyone who has experienced harm from gambling.
Through a series of educational and interactive events, the Authority aims to raise public awareness and foster a culture of safer participation in gambling, ensuring that it remains a form of entertainment, as intended.
As every year, the 9th Safer Gambling Week will kick-off with the Safer Gambling Conference, which will feature the participation of renowned academics, industry professionals as well as stakeholders from the public and private sectors. A series of events and awareness campaigns will also take place throughout the Week, with the aim of bringing the message of Safer Gambling to as many members of the public as possible.
In a statement, NBA Chairman, Mr Panayiotis Trisokkas said that this year’s Safer Gambling Week would once again provide a platform for dialogue on the importance of prevention and setting limits, while ensuring that gambling remains a form of entertainment: “The Safer Gambling Week is one of the National Betting Authority’s most important initiatives for raising awareness and promoting prevention. This year, we are taking a different, more creative approach, seeking to highlight that Safer Gambling begins with the decisions each of us makes. Being aware of our personal limits, exercising self-control and recognising early on, any behaviour that could lead to a loss of control are key protective factors. This year, the Safer Gambling Week aims to make this message even clearer: limits do not restrict play. Instead, they protect the entertainment that comes with gambling. Because when we gamble, it’s important to know where to draw the line. Let’s play within limits. Let’s play safely.”
Information on the activities and agenda of the 9th Safer Gambling Week will be announced soon at https://sgw.cy/en/
