Prevention and Support: Responsible Gambling at Tipsport Vegas

What does the term mean?

A way of gambling in which the player acts consciously and keeps the game under control. Its purpose is to limit the harm caused by excessive play and to prevent addiction.

What does the operator contribute?

Under §§ 13 to 16 of zákon č. 186/2016 Sb., each operator, Tipsport.net a.s. being one of them, makes tools and information for safer play available to players: financial and time limits, guidance on risks and on self-exclusion, and measures to protect minors.

And the player?

No tool achieves anything if nobody uses it. That is why it pays to watch your own behaviour and not to overlook the warning signs of problem gambling.

The sentences below describe the warning signs of problem gambling. Consider whether you, or someone around you, could say them:

1. “When I cannot play, I feel restless, irritable or anxious.”
2. “I hide from my family how much and how often I gamble.”
3. “I try to win back lost money by playing again.”
4. “I borrow to gamble and keep breaking my own spending limits.”
5. “I gamble more often and for bigger amounts than I used to.”
6. “Because of gambling I neglect my job, my studies or my family.”
7. “Gambling brings me debts and arguments, yet I carry on.”
8. “Gambling is taking a toll on my mental and physical health.”

If any of these sounds familiar, use the prevention tools or reach out for professional help.

Every registered player has tools in their user account that Tipsport Vegas provides in line with zákon č. 186/2016 Sb. Their purpose is to let players monitor and restrict their own gambling.

Deposit limit. It sets the highest amount you can send to your gaming account in a day, a week or a month. Once you reach it, the system accepts the next deposit only in the new period.

Bet and loss limit. It keeps track of how much you stake or lose net over the chosen period. When the threshold is reached, you cannot place another bet or keep playing.

Time limit and reality check. You decide how much time per day or week you can give to gambling, and the reality check reminds you at regular intervals how long you have been playing.

Time-out. You take yourself out of play temporarily for 24 hours, 7 days or 30 days. During that time you do not log in or play; afterwards the account becomes accessible again.

You can set, lower or cancel a limit directly in your account. Raising it is allowed only once a protection period of 24 hours or more has elapsed.

In § 16bb, zákon č. 186/2016 Sb. requires gambling operators to make a so-called panic button available to players from 1 July 2024. It is a tool that excludes the player from all gambling immediately and temporarily for 48 hours.

The button is part of the user interface and any registered player may use it. As soon as they activate it, they are automatically removed from all the operator's online platforms and cannot take part in gambling for 48 hours. At that same moment they are given the option of applying for entry into the Register of Excluded Persons (RVO).

1. Every player has the right to request exclusion from gambling; it follows from zákon č. 186/2016 Sb.
2. The exclusion can be temporary or permanent.
3. The request is submitted in the user account or through the operator.
4. An RVO entry is valid with every gambling operator in the Czech Republic.
5. The register entry can be deleted no sooner than one year after it was made.

An entry in the Register of Excluded Persons (RVO) has a clear consequence: the person concerned cannot take part in gambling with any licensed operator in the Czech Republic. The register is kept by the Ministry of Finance (Ministerstvo financí ČR) in accordance with zákon č. 186/2016 Sb.

It lists people who have themselves asked to be excluded, as well as those excluded by law, which includes for example people in enforcement or insolvency proceedings and those who receive certain benefits.

An application for entry can be made:

• through the data box of the Ministry of Finance,
• in the user account with the gambling operator,
• in person at Czech POINT,
• after pressing the panic button, when you simply confirm the application.

In the Czech Republic, only people aged 18 or over may gamble; this follows from zákon č. 186/2016 Sb. The operator must therefore verify the age and identity of every player, for instance via BankID or another verification method. Minors may not take part, and the operator checks this both at registration and when winnings are withdrawn.

For a quick self-assessment, you can use questions inspired by the PGSI (Problem Gambling Severity Index):

1. Do you borrow money to gamble?
2. Do you try to make up for a loss by playing again?
3. Do people close to you point out that you have a problem with gambling?
4. Do you have a guilty conscience about gambling?
5. Do you put off work, school or relationships because of gambling?
6. Do you often feel that you should be gambling less?
7. Do you end up spending more on gambling than you decided in advance?

A yes to several questions is a reason to take notice: consider the prevention tools or turn to professionals. The result is only a rough guide and does not replace a diagnosis by a specialist.

All the services listed below deal with gambling addiction and provide help professionally and discreetly. It makes sense to contact them as soon as gambling is no longer enjoyable.

• Clinic of Addictology, 1st Faculty of Medicine, Charles University and General University Hospital in Prague, website adiktologie.cz
• National Helpline for Addiction, with the free and anonymous number 800 350 000
• Společnost Podané ruce, more at www.podaneruce.cz

The address contact@tipsport-bonus.cz is there for any questions concerning the content of this page and for requests for further information.

How can I tell that I should do something about my gambling, and whom can I contact? The self-test on this page will help. You can restrict your gambling with limits and talk to professionals: National Helpline for Addiction, telephone 800 350 000. Panic button: where is it compulsory and how long does the exclusion last? Operators of internet games and gaming halls must have it from 1 July 2024. Exclusion from all gambling takes effect immediately and lasts 48 hours. Which limits can I use at Tipsport Vegas? Deposit, bet, loss and time limits. You will find them in your user account, in the area dedicated to responsible gambling. How do I apply for entry in the Register of Excluded Persons? You have four options: your account with the operator, the panic button followed by confirmation, a data box message to the ministry, or applying in person at Czech POINT. Where is further information available? With the operator in its responsible gambling section, and on the website of the Ministry of Finance (Ministerstvo financí ČR). May minors gamble? No. Gambling is only for people aged 18 and over; the operator checks this at registration and when winnings are withdrawn. When is it possible to leave the RVO? Removal from the register comes into question one year after the entry at the earliest.

18+ Only adults, meaning people who have reached 18, may gamble.

The Czech Ministry of Finance (Ministerstvo financí ČR) cautions that gambling participation can result in addiction.