About the Responsible Gambling Project

The Responsible Gambling Project was established in 2021 under the leadership of the Institute for Gambling Regulation. It brings together leading legal gambling operators with experts in addiction studies, psychology and economics, as well as regulators, non-profit organisations and research institutions. Its aim is to promote a unified market approach, strengthen prevention and player protection, and develop modern and effective support tools. Participating companies have voluntarily committed to implementing 29 measures that go beyond their statutory obligations.

The project is based on a harm reduction approach focused on reducing the risks and harm associated with gambling. It is not about banning gambling or condemning people who gamble for entertainment in their free time. The goal is to help ensure that gambling remains under control and does not become a personal or societal problem.

IRIS – a unique tool for the early identification of risky gambling behaviour

General preventive measures are not always sufficiently effective. That is why, as part of the Responsible Gambling Project, we are developing IRIS – the Intelligent Risk Identification System, a globally unique tool designed to provide targeted player protection precisely when it is needed. IRIS is the first system of its kind in Europe to use the Single Customer View principle, enabling risky gambling behaviour to be assessed across multiple operators.

By analysing large-scale data, changes in player behaviour and predictive models, IRIS is designed to identify the first signs of risky gambling at an early stage and support a timely and appropriately targeted intervention. Its aim is to recognise the moment when a player begins to lose control over their gambling, alert them to the emerging risk and offer support that can help them regain control. Thanks to its scale, interdisciplinary approach and ability to assess behaviour across the market, IRIS represents an unprecedented solution in the European gambling sector.

Expert Council

The Expert Council of the Responsible Gambling Project is an independent advisory and consultative body composed of renowned experts in addiction studies, psychology and economics. Drawing on their diverse areas of expertise, professional experience and perspectives, its members help develop effective preventive measures, strengthen player protection and mitigate the impact of risky gambling behaviour.

The Expert Council consists of a chairperson and six regular members. Representatives of the Ministry of Finance and the Government Office also regularly attend its meetings as honorary guests.

doc. MUDr. Viktor Mravčík, Ph.D.

Chair of the Expert Council

Director of Research and Education, Společnost Podané ruce o.p.s.

Until 2021, he served for many years as the head of the National Monitoring Center for Drugs and Addiction (NMS) at the Secretariat of the Government Council for Drug Policy Coordination within the Office of the Government of the Czech Republic. He currently serves as a scientific advisor to the National Drug Policy Coordinator and as the director of research and education at the Podané ruce organization.
PhDr. Ladislav Csémy

Member of the Expert Council

Head of the Research Program at the National Institute of Mental Health

A psychologist whose professional interests include the psychological and sociomedical aspects of addictive behavior, psychiatric epidemiology, and health psychology. He has published articles in international and domestic academic journals, contributed to more than ten monographs, and participated in numerous collaborative research studies.
Ing. Aleš Rod, Ph.D.

Member of the Expert Council

Director of Research at CETA—Center for Economic and Market Analysis, z. ú.

Economist, entrepreneur, and university professor. At the Center for Economic and Market Analysis (CETA), he manages research projects and provides consulting on strategic plans for the public and private sectors in the Czech Republic and abroad. He is also a new member of the Government’s National Economic Council (NERV).
PhDr. Eva Aigelová, Ph.D.

Member of the Expert Council

Psychologist, Secretary of the Department of Psychology at Palacký University in Olomouc

Research Assistant and Department Secretary at the Department of Psychology at UPOL. She has long been interested in issues related to substance and non-substance addictions.
Bc. Marcel Ambrož

Member of the Expert Council

Head of the SANANIM z.ú. Outpatient Clinic

She has been working in the field of gambling since 2015, when Gambling Ambulance was founded. In addition to individual and group therapy, her practice focuses primarily on issues related to sports betting among the clinic’s clients, particularly athletes.
Mgr. Lukáš Carlos Hrubý

Member of the Expert Council

Professional Guarantor, Společnost Podané ruce o.p.s.

Psychologist working as a therapist, supervisor, and lecturer. Professional Director of the Podané ruce o.p.s. organization in the Olomouc and Zlín Regions. Founder and Director of Mana, o.p.s., in Olomouc. He runs his own psychotherapy practice focused primarily on working with gamblers and couples therapy. In his lecturing activities, he focuses primarily on crisis intervention and the issue of pathological gambling.
doc. Mgr. Kateřina Lukavská, Ph.D.

Member of the Expert Council

Psychologist and researcher. Associate Professor in the Department of Psychology at the Faculty of Education, Charles University

Psychologist and researcher. Associate professor in the Department of Psychology at the Faculty of Education, Charles University. She also works at the Clinic of Addictology at the First Faculty of Medicine, Charles University. Her research focuses on problematic use of digital media and parental mediation. She participates in the International Sex Survey and the Global Videogame Study.