The Institute for Gambling Regulation (IFGR) is launching a responsible gambling project in the Czech Republic.

IFGR brings together 35 companies operating in the gambling field, covering 95% of the legal gambling market in the Czech Republic.

The project’s aim is to “keep gambling fun” while making it “a safe pastime for players, not a risk”. It seeks to support the prevention of risky gambling, support the education of players and the general public about the principles of responsible gambling, support cooperation with professional organisations in education and research, and the introduction of a software tool to detect high-risk gambling behaviour.

Czech Republic gambling operators are already required to comply with a number of legal measures that contribute to the protection of players; however, those regulations are not always effective and cannot respond in time to changes in player behaviour, and offer effective assistance or help.

This responsible gambling project brings together competing gambling operators such as Tipsport, Fortuna, Chance and Sazka, who, by signing the Obligations to the Responsible Gambling project, have voluntarily committed to complying with the rules that will contribute to a safer gambling environment beyond the existing legal regulations.

As education is an important part of the approach, the project also focuses on building a network of professional help consisting of addictologists, psychologists, and financial and legal advisers.

Interactive workshops, online conferences, discussions and training are some of the activities planned for the Week of Responsible Gambling (which is part of the Responsible Gambling project and will take place between 20 and 27 November).