Conference
Prague as the Heart of Responsible Gambling.
November 4, 2024

duhová stuha do srdce

Program:

9:00-9:30

Welcome and registration of participants

9:30-9:35

Conference opening

Jan Řehola, Institute for Gambling Regulation

09:35-09:40

Opening speech Ministry of Finance Czech republic

Martina Matejová, Ministry of Finance, CZ

9:40 - 9:45

Keynote speech

Mark Griffiths, Nottingham Trent University

09:50-10:10

How to Apply Psychology and Data to Unlock Personalized Player Protection

Dan Thwaites, Capuchin Behavioral Science

10:15-10:35

Real-time digital RG player interactions

Tanja Sveen, Norsk Tipping AS

10:40-11:00

Coffee Break

11:00-11:20

AI and Responsible Gambling: Shaping the Future of Player Protection

Francesco Rodano, Playtech

11:25-12:10

AI in Responsible Gambling: Future Opportunities and Ethical Challenges

Francesco Rodano, Playtech, Nicole Garret, Allwyn, Tanja Sveen, Norsk Tipping AS

12:10-13:00

Lunch

13:00-13:20

Exploring AI-Driven Real-Time Interventions for Enhanced Player Protection and Engagement

Daniel Brookes, Rdentify, Betcomply

13:25-13:50

Identifying problem gambling online using account-based tracking data

Mark Griffiths, Nottingham Trent University

13:55-14:40

The Role of Operators, the Government, and Modern Approaches to Detection, Intervention, and Treatment of Problem Gamblers

Viktor Mravčík, Podané ruce o.p.s., Jana Dominika Šatánková, Naberte kurz, Pavel Gernt, SAZKA, a. s., Helena Brůčková, Tipsport

14:40 - 15:00

Coffee Break

15:00-15:20

Gambling Advertising: Regulation vs. Self-Regulation

Martin Bohoš, Gambling Regulatory Authority

15:25-15:45

Placing data and insights at the heart of gambling regulation: Opportunities and challenges.

Simo Dragicevic, The Game Safety Institute

15:50-16:10

Risk Audit: identifying elements that encourage harmful gambling behaviour and evaluating the player protection risks of online sports betting sites

Arife Yesilöz, (SARA) Supervisory Authority for Regulatory Affairs

16:15 - 17:00

Regulation of Responsible Gambling Elements Based on Data Analysis and Player Surveys. How Do Different States Approach Regulation?

Simo Dragicevic, The Game Safety Institute, Martin Bohoš, Gambling Regulatory Authority, Eva Heringová, Fortuna Entertainment Group, Václav Čapek, Statistician, Data Analyst, and Lecturer at NUDZ, UK, Motol University Hospital, and VFN in Prague

Speakers

Jan Řehola

Director of the Institut for Gambling Regulation, CZ

Director of the Institut for Gambling Regulation Jan Řehola is the Director of the Institute for Gambling Regulation (IFGR), the largest professional association in the field of gambling in the Czech Republic. He has over fifteen years of experience in gambling regulation, both in the public and private sectors. He holds a Ph.D. from the Faculty of Law at Charles University in Prague. Jan Řehola previously worked at the Ministry of Finance of the Czech Republic, initially as the head of the legal department and later as the director of the Gambling Regulation Department. After leaving the ministry in 2014, he pursued a career in law and consulting in the field of gambling regulation. He regularly speaks at international conferences and publishes in professional journals and periodicals.

Martina Matejová

Director General section 11 - Legal Ministry of Finance. CZ

JUDr. Martina Matejová, Ph.D., is a legal expert with over twenty years of experience at the Ministry of Finance. Since March 2023, she has served as the Director General of the Legal Affairs Section. Previously, she led the Department of Legislation and Dispute Agenda, and she has extensive experience in public administration legal matters.

Mark Griffiths

Professor of Behavioural Addiction at Nottingham Trent University, UK

Dr. Mark Griffiths is a Chartered Psychologist and Distinguished Professor of Behavioural Addiction at the Nottingham Trent University, and Director of the International Gaming Research Unit. He has spent 37 years in the field and is internationally known for his work into gambling, gaming, and behavioral addictions. He has published over 1500 peer-reviewed research papers, seven books, over 200 book chapters, and over 1500 other articles. He has won over 25 national and international awards for his work including the John Rosecrance Prize (1994), Joseph Lister Prize (2004), US National Council on Problem Gambling Lifetime Research Award (2013), ISSBA Lifetime Achievement Award for the Study of Behavioral Addictions (2023). He also does a lot of freelance journalism and has appeared on over 3500 radio and television programs and written over 400 articles for national and international newspapers and magazines.

Simo Dragicevic

Co-Founder The Game Safety Institute, UK

Simo Dragicevic has been a technology entrepreneur in the gambling industry since 2010, as founder of BetBuddy, a pioneer in artificial intelligence and responsible gambling, which was acquired by Playtech Plc in 2017. He is on the boards of Canada's Responsible Gambling Council and the Great Britian Gambling Commission, as a member of its Digital Advisory Panel. Most recently he is the co-founder of GSI (The Game Safety Institute), which is focused on developing new insights at the intersection of products, players and safer gambling.

Viktor Mravčík

Director of Research and Innovation at Společnost Podané ruce o.p.s., CZ

Viktor Mravčík graduated at the Medical Faculty at Palacky University in Olomouc in 1993. In 1997 and 2000 he received specialisations in hygiene and epidemiology and epidemiology. He received his PhD in preventive medicine in 2013 and he has been nominated associate professor in 2018 at the 1st Faculty of Medicine, Charles University. He is a lecturer, researcher and member of the board for doctoral programme in addiction science at the Department for addictology, 1st Medical Faculty of the Charles University. Viktor Mravčík is the Head of research at NGO Společnost Podané ruce in Brno. In 2002-2021, he was the Head of the Czech National Monitoring Centre for Drugs and Addictions at the Office of the Government, he was the main author and editor of the national reports on substance use and addictions. He has published number of scientific and policy papers. His main interests are prevalence, patterns and consequences of substance use and addiction policies. Since 2022, he is the scientific advisor of the Czech National Drug Coordinator and a member of the core group preparing drug policy reforms including decriminalization and legal regulation of cannabis.

Francesco Rodano

Chief Policy Officer, Playtech, IT

Francesco Rodano, Chief Policy Officer at Playtech, is a leading expert in gambling regulation and responsible gaming with over 15 years of experience spanning both government and industry roles. As the former Remote Gaming Director at the Italian Customs and Monopolies Agency, he played a pivotal role in developing Italy's regulatory framework for online gaming. In his current position at Playtech, one of the world's largest suppliers of gambling services, Francesco leads international public affairs efforts and spearheads the company's safer gambling initiatives. He has been at the forefront of integrating AI and behavioural analytics into responsible gambling practices, including the development of BetBuddy, an industry-leading AI-powered tool now adopted in 15 jurisdictions across three continents. A recognised thought leader in gaming policy and regulation, Francesco has represented both government and industry interests in various European policy discussions and is an active member of several trade associations. His unique blend of regulatory expertise, industry experience, and focus on AI-driven solutions makes him a valued voice in shaping the future of responsible gaming.

Dan Thwaites

Co-founder Capuchin Behavioral Science, MORUS LXIV and Non-exec, UK

Dan has been working in the creative, data and technology space for 30 years. During this time he as found and applied insights for a range of markets and audiences, nationally and internationally to drive commercial growth. His experience spans data, digital, creative, media and innovation and he as advised clients in gaming and entertainment, and wider afield - from food and drink to clothes to cars, motorbikes and tech products, even funerals. He is now co-founder and Chief Strategy Officer at Capuchin Behavioural Science.

Daniel Brookes

CEO and Co-founder Rdentify, Betcomply, UK

Daniel Brookes is a distinguished professional with a remarkable 15-year journey in the dynamic realms of technology and iGaming. Boasting a wealth of experience in technology, compliance, and commercial decision-making, he brings unparalleled expertise and acumen to his pivotal role as founder of Rdentify where he specialises in conversational data analysis. Known for enhancing business performances, he stands as a leader at the intersection of technology and compliance, redefining the landscape of iGaming.

Tanja Sveen

Senior adviser responsible gaming and team-leader of an innovation team, Norsk Tipping, NOR

Norsk Tipping was recently awarded the European Lotteries Innovation Award for Spillepuls real-time player interactions. Master of Management from Oslo Business School. Worked within the RG-area at Norsk Tipping for the last 11 years mainly with innovations and development of RG-tools and measures. Some examples are the proactive conversations with at-risk and problem gamblers, gaming account overviews, gaming limits, breaks and exclusions. Also worked with several external researchers to learn from these innovations.

Martin Bohoš

Director General, Gambling Regulatory Authority, SK

Martin Bohoš has held executive management positions in several financial companies throughout his career. Since January 2017, he has worked at TIPOS, the national lottery company, a.s., initially as a member and later as the vice-chairman of the board of directors, deputy general director, and director of the legal, compliance, and risk management department. He is a member of the Slovak Association of Corporate Governance and the Slovak Compliance Professionals Network.

Eva Heringová

Group Responsible Gaming Manager, Fortuna Entertainment Group, CZ

Eva Heringová is an expert in Compliance and Responsible Gaming with over 10 years of experience in various leadership positions. She currently serves as the Group Responsible Gaming Manager at Fortuna Entertainment Group, where she has been responsible for the strategy and implementation of responsible gaming measures since 2021. Previously, she held the position of Group Compliance Manager at the same company. Before that, she worked at APS Holding S.A., where she led a team of Compliance specialists from 12 different countries as the Group Compliance Officer. She began her career at mBank S.A. as a lawyer and AML specialist. Eva holds a JUDr. degree from Charles University, where she also completed her Master’s degree in Law. During her studies, she participated in an exchange program at the University of Otago in Dunedin, New Zealand, focusing on criminal law and criminology.

Pavel Gernt

Manager Responsible Gaming and Compliance, SAZKA, a. s., CZ

Pavel Gernt began his professional journey as an investigator with the Unit for Detecting Illegal Profits and Tax Crime and later moved into the financial sector, where he focused on managing credit and operational risks. At GE Money Bank, he was responsible for investigating unusual frauds, while at Raiffeisen Bank and ČSOB, he implemented systems for preventing and detecting corporate credit fraud. At Provident, he led the loss prevention department, and at Moneta, he headed the anti-money laundering department. Currently, Pavel Gernt holds the position of Manager for Responsible Gaming at Sazka. Pavel Gernt is a graduate of the Police Academy of the Czech Republic, with a degree in Security and Legal Studies.

Nicole Garrett

Group Head of Responsible Gaming, Allwyn, UK

Nicole Garrett is Group Head of Responsible Gaming at Allwyn where she leads on group-wide responsible gaming projects to drive innovation and best practice across markets. Prior to joining Allwyn, she was Head of Corporate Affairs at bet365. She also has experience leading market-wide collaborations, having supported the implementation of several voluntary safer gambling initiatives during her time as Head of Policy & Regulatory Affairs at the Betting and Gaming Council, the UK industry trade body. This includes working on the development of the Single Customer View project and industry codes on advertising, marketing, and game design.

Arife Yesilöz

(SARA) Supervisory Authority for Regulatory Affairs, HU

Arife Yesilöz is strengthening Hungary’s multi-sector regulatory body, the Supervisory Authority for Regulatory Affairs, as a research specialist since 2022. By gaining a comprehensive understanding of the gambling market dynamics, and by acquiring valuable insights into the mindset of Hungarian players, her work is aimed at supporting the policy-making activities representing the common interest of the Hungarian citizens. By venturing beyond the confines of the traditional regulatory framework, her task is to seek out the tools of behavioural science and other scientific data-driven approaches, thus providing empirically supported evidence that could alleviate the legislative decision-making process.

Jana Dominika Šatánková

Head of Methodological and Strategic Development, Mentor for Professional Training at the Center "Naberte kurz" and the Helpline for Gambling Players and Their Relatives., CZ

Mgr. Jana Dominika Šatánková is an expert in social services and crisis intervention, specializing in assisting individuals with addictions, particularly gambling addiction. Šatánková has extensive experience in the field of social services and currently works at Společnost Podané ruce o.p.s., where she leads the "Naberte kurz" center and the Helpline for Problem Gamblers and Their Loved Ones. This helpline provides crucial support not only to individuals at various stages of their gambling journey but also to their families. Mgr. Šatánková plays a key role in coordinating the team and working directly with clients. Additionally, she is involved in the professional training of employees who are in direct contact with customers of gambling companies. She collaborates with the Institution for Prevention and Treatment of Addictions (IPRH) on the "Responsible Gambling" project, where she conducts training for companies such as SAZKA, Tipsport, and Fortuna. Last year, she trained all frontline staff, and this year, she is preparing follow-up workshops aimed at deepening the skills gained during the initial training.

Helena Brůčková

Manager Responsible Gaming, Tipsport,  CZ

Helena has been with Tipsport for 20 years. She started as part of what was then a small IT department. For several years, she led the Bettors' Community department (a social network for bettors). Three years ago, she took on the challenge of focusing on responsible gambling. “I strive to ensure that the bettors' community helps each other not only with what to bet on, but also with how to keep the game under control.” She collaborates with addiction specialist František Trantina, who writes blogs for the bettors' community, covering topics beyond just responsible gambling.

Václav Čapek

Statistician, Data Analyst, and Lecturer at NUDZ, UK, Motol University Hospital, and VFN in Prague

RNDr. Václav Čapek, Ph.D., is a statistician, data analyst, and lecturer at NUDZ, Charles University, Motol University Hospital, and General University Hospital in Prague. He specializes in the fields of medicine and psychology, actively contributing to research and innovation. He is a co-investigator on several grants and co-author of three patents. His work integrates research, teaching, and practical applications of statistics and data analysis, supporting advancements in both theoretical and applied domains.

Organizer

IFGR Logo.PNGThe Institute for Gambling Regulation (IFGR) is a self-governing and independent organization with voluntary participation. At the same time, it is the largest national professional association in the field of gambling, representing 95% of the legal gambling market in the Czech Republic.

The primary objective of the IFGR activities is to work together with public authorities in the field of gambling to strive for a unified, conceptual, and modern development of gambling regulation in the Czech Republic. Equally important in our work is the long-term contribution to increasing social responsibility and reducing risks associated with gambling.

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The Responsible Gambling Project is a self-regulatory project of gambling operators, which complements the current strict regulation appropriately. Instead of blanket bans that restrict problem-free players, we believe in early identification and offering help to those who truly need it. The self-regulation within Responsible Gambling involves the commitment of operators to adhere to 29 specific obligations beyond the legal requirements, focusing on strengthening player protection, prevention, employee education, and responsible marketing and advertising. Together, we are working on developing a unified software solution that identifies at-risk players and can be applied across the market.