With the central message “Gamble responsibly. Gamble safely,” the National Betting Authority is organizing the 9th Safe Gambling Week, from October 12 to 18, 2026, highlighting the importance of prevention, self-control, and safe participation in games of chance. By bringing together the myths of the past with the behaviors of today, this year’s campaign draws on four iconic figures from Greek mythology—Odysseus, Achilles, Midas, and Icarus—to connect different aspects of human behavior with the way we approach gambling.
The choice of these specific figures is not random. Their stories, though born centuries ago, continue to reflect human behaviors that remain relevant today: the need for self-control and foresight, the feeling that “it won’t happen to me,” greed and the desire for more, as well as the overconfidence that can lead to poor decisions.
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Through this year’s campaign, EAS aims to shift the discussion from general risk to the timely recognition of limits. How much time do we devote to it? How much money are we willing to spend? Can we stop when we’ve decided to? Do we recognize when fun starts to turn into something more?
Safe Gaming Week has now become an established institution through which the Hellenic Gaming Commission mobilizes and collaborates with stakeholders in the gaming sector, as well as with public and private sector organizations. During the Week, the public will have the opportunity to learn about safe betting and gambling, the self-protection tools available to players, the harmful consequences of problematic gambling, as well as the available support and treatment services where anyone who feels their gambling has gone too far can seek help.
Through educational and experiential activities, the EAS aims to raise public awareness and foster a culture of safe participation, where gambling remains what it should be: a form of entertainment.
As it does every year, the 9th Safe Play Week will kick off with the Safe Play Conference, which will bring together distinguished academics, industry professionals, and representatives from public and private sector organizations. At the same time, throughout the Week, a series of awareness-raising activities and events will take place, with the aim of ensuring that the message of Safe Play reaches as many citizens as possible.
In his remarks, the President of the EAS, Mr. Panagiotis Trisokkas, expressed his conviction that this year’s Safe Gaming Week will also serve as a forum for dialogue on the importance of prevention and setting limits, so that we can maintain gambling as a form of entertainment: “Safe Gaming Week is one of the National Betting Authority’s most important initiatives for public awareness and prevention. This year, through a different, creative approach, we want to highlight that Safe Gaming begins with the decisions each of us makes. Awareness of our personal limits, self-control, and the timely recognition of behaviors that may lead to a loss of control are key protective factors. With this year’s Safe Gaming Week, we want to make this message even clearer: limits don’t restrict gaming; they protect the enjoyment of gaming. Because when we play, it’s important to know when, how much, and how far. Let’s play within limits. Let’s play safely.”
More information about the program and activities for the 9th Safe Play Week will be posted soon on the website: www.sgw.cy
