International
Conference
on Gambling

5. 11. 2025

Conference
Prague as
the Heart of
Responsible
Gambling

6. 11. 2025
Day 1 – 5 November 2025 Day 2 – 6 November 2025

About the conference

Register now

The second day of the conference, Prague as the Heart of Responsible Gambling, will build on the previous day focused on regulation and turn its attention to player protection, prevention, and the promotion of responsible practices by both regulators and operators.

The programme will feature inspiring keynotes, practical case studies, and panel discussions with experts from the Czech Republic and abroad. Key topics will include early detection of risky gambling, effective intervention strategies, self-help tools, and the role of addiction services.

The aim is to create a space for sharing experiences and best practices across sectors and countries – and to strengthen the Czech Republic’s role as a place where responsible gambling is not only discussed, but actively shaped.

The conference is intended for professionals from regulatory bodies, addiction prevention and treatment services, gambling operators, government institutions, and the non-profit sector.

Program:

09:00-09:30

Registration

09:30-09:40

Conference opening

Jan Řehola, Institut for Gambling Regulation

09:45-10:00

Opening speech

10:05-10:50

Responsible Gambling under Pressure: When Rules Protect and When They Push Players to the Illegal Market?

Šimon Vincze, Casino Guru

William J. Pascrell, III, Princeton Public Affairs Group

Martin Lyčka, Senior legal, regulatory and RG advisor

Simo Dragicevic, AiR Hub and Adjunct Fellow at the International Gaming Institute at UNLV

10:50-11:10

Coffee Break

11:15-11:35

An introduction to AiR Hub: A mission to build the industry's ecosystem for collaborative AI research

Simo Dragicevic, AiR Hub and Adjunct Fellow at the International Gaming Institute at UNLV 

11:40-12:25

Generative AI in Action: Current Applications and Future Horizons for Player Protection

Francesco Rodano, Playtech

Valérie Peano, EGLA

Robert Leksiński, TOTALIZATOR SPORTOWY Sp. z o.o.

12:30-13:25

Lunch

13:30-13:50

Use of Eye-Tracking Technology in Analyzing Visual Attention and the Perception of Intervention Communication among At-Risk Gamblers

Radek Soběhart, Behavioral Studies Lab, UJEP

13:55-14:15

Research around the importance of design of gambling websites to encourage sustainable gambling and practical tools to assist customers to think about the affordability of their spend

Sally Gainsbury, University of Sydney

14:20-14:40

Personalized interventions and player communication as RG tools

Michael Auer, Neccton

14:45-15:05

Coffee Break

15:10-15:30

Loot boxes

Mark Griffiths, Nottingham Trent University

15:35-16:20

Loot boxes

Jiří Koreš, Sanevita Centre

Speakers

Jan Řehola

Director, Institute for Gambling Regulation

Jan Řehola is the Director of the Institute for Gambling Regulation (IPRH), the largest professional association in the field of gambling in the Czech Republic. He has over fifteen years of experience in gambling regulation, spanning both the public and private sectors. He holds a Ph.D. from the Faculty of Law at Charles University in Prague. Jan previously worked at the Ministry of Finance of the Czech Republic – first as Head of the Legal Department and later as Director of the Gambling Regulation Department. After leaving the Ministry in 2014, he focused on legal practice and consultancy in the area of gambling regulation. He regularly speaks at international conferences and publishes in professional journals and industry periodicals.

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 of AiR Hub and Adjunct Fellow at the International Gaming Institute at UNLV

Simo Dragicevic has been a technology entrepreneur in the gambling industry since 2010, when he founded BetBuddy, a pioneer in the field of artificial intelligence and responsible gambling. In 2017, BetBuddy was acquired by Playtech Plc. Simo serves on the boards of the Canadian Centre for Responsible Gambling and the UK Gambling Commission, where he is a member of the Digital Advisory Panel. Most recently, he Co-founder of AiR Hub and Adjunct Fellow at the International Gaming Institute at UNLV.

Sally Gainsburry

Professor in Psychology at the University of Sydney

Dr. Sally Gainsbury is Professor in Psychology at the University of Sydney and Director of Australia’s only university-based gambling treatment and research clinic. She has published over 150 peer review journal articles and reports sharing her research to inform policies and practices to reduce and prevent gambling harms. Dr. Gainsbury frequently provides expert advice for government, community, and industry organisations to evaluate and shape harm minimisation policies. She is Co-Editor in Chief of the academic journal International Gambling Studies and a Winston Churchill Fellow.

Francesco Rodano

Chief Sustainable Gambling Officer at Playtech

Director of Sustainable Gambling at Playtech and a leading expert in gambling regulation and responsible gambling. He has over 15 years of experience in both governmental and industry roles. As the former Director of Online Gaming at the Italian Customs and Monopolies Agency, he played a key role in developing the regulatory framework for online gambling in Italy. In his current position at Playtech, one of the world’s largest gambling technology providers, he leads international public affairs and initiatives focused on safer gambling. He is at the forefront of integrating artificial intelligence and behavioral analytics into responsible gambling practices, including the development of BetBuddy—an AI-powered tool now used in 15 jurisdictions across three continents. Francesco is a recognized leader in gambling policy and regulation, having represented both governmental and industry interests in various European policy forums. He is an active member of several trade associations. His unique combination of regulatory expertise, industry experience, and focus on AI-driven solutions makes him a valuable voice in shaping the future of responsible gambling.

Michael Auer

Managing Director, Neccton, an OpenBet company

Dr. Michael Auer is a Psychologist and a Statistician. He has a Masters Degree in Psychology from the University of Vienna and a PhD in Psychology from Nottingham Trent University. He has published numerous academic studies focusing on voluntary limit setting, self-exclusion, personalized feedback, nudging and the prediction of problem gambling.

Robert Leksiński

Director of Customer Relations Department, Totalizator Sportowy

Robert Leksiński with 7 years at Totalizator Sportowy, oversees CRM, Customer Experience, the WinTo! loyalty program, and customer service operations. Currently leading the implementation of AI-driven solutions in CRM systems and customer service automation, he is shaping a modern, omnichannel engagement model. Robert Leksiński brings 13 years of experience in the gambling industry, including work in startups, digital product development, marketing, and the launch of online casinos in international markets.

Martin Lycka

Senior legal, regulatory and RG advisor

Martin Lycka has been a senior legal, regulatory and RG advisor to listed gambling businesses for the last 16 years. Amongst others, in the past he has worked with organisations such as Betfair and Entain. Living with his family in the US, Martin is a UK qualified lawyer and graduate of the Charles University of Prague. His media presence includes TV appearances across three continents as well as being quoted or featured by the world’s leading media outlets. Martin has won numerous gambling industry accolades. He hosts the Safe Bet Show podcast on SBC.

William J. Pascrell, III

Partner, Princeton Public Affairs Group

In the gaming sector, BPIII has been a lawyer, strategic advisor and consultant throughout the U.S., Canada, Israel, Europe, South America and Australia. His clients include Poker Stars, Monmouth Park Racetrack, The New Meadowlands Racetrack, Lotto.com, GDC America, Inc., Gambling.com, Gamban, Epic Risk Management, Entain, Trump Casinos, Pinnacle, The AC Chamber of Commerce, The NJ Casino Association, Sportech, Playtech, Camelot Lottery, Hard Rock Casinos, IMEGA, High 5 Games, Global Betting Exchange, Cashbet, Ezugi, PickLive, Line Gaming Holdings, Game Sports Network, Liberty Rising Casino, The Atlantic Club Casino Hotel, OTG Management, Rational Services, BetMakers, HexiGames and Vote Yes on Sports Betting Coalition. He has become the nation’s top expert with regards to internet gaming, lottery, horse racing, poker, esports and sports betting. BPIII led the successful 10 year campaign to legalize sports betting in the United States culminating with the repeal of PASPA by the United States Supreme Court in 2018. Most notably BPIII lead a successful multi-year campaign to pass the first in the Nation On Line Gaming Act in New Jersey. He worked to develop the regulatory regime put in force prior to launch. BPIII continues to advise state governments across the Nation on issues involving the gaming industry.

Jiří Koreš

Addiction Therapist and Psychotherapist

Mgr. Jiří Koreš is an experienced addiction therapist and psychotherapist with more than twenty years of practice. He studied Ethics and Social Work at the University of South Bohemia and since 2001 has served as a head of the Contact Centre and Outreach Programs, the Aftercare Centre PREVENT, the PREVENT Counseling Centre for Behavioral Addictions, and the website neprohraj.se. He has completed internships in Poland, Spain, France, and Italy, gaining valuable international experience. Currently, he leads, among other roles, the therapeutic team at the Sanevita Centre. Since 2022, he has served as the Chair of the Section of Outpatient Addiction Services in the Czech Republic under the APAS organization.

Šimon Vincze

Head of Sustainable & Safer Gambling at Casino Guru

Šimon Vincze is Casino Guru’s Head of Sustainable & Safer Gambling, and an advocate for Responsible Gambling. He provides guidance on player protection, steers the company towards current best practices, and seeks opportunities for Casino Guru to have a positive influence. He leads the Global Self-Exclusion Initiative and the Casino Guru Academy.

Valérie Peano

Attorney At Law at EGLA

Attorney-at-Law admitted as a Barrister of the Italian Supreme Courts and founding Partner of EGLA, Valérie is advising on all aspects of gambling law including licence tender applications, compliance, advertising, licence reviews, changes of control and business sales. She has acted as legal advisor for online gambling to the Italian Gaming Authority and the Italian Chamber of Deputies IV Finance Commission. Presently, she is advising national and international lotteries and gambling operators, B2B game and software suppliers as well as national regulatory authorities in various jurisdictions. Valérie has a particular interest in the use of new technology for gambling products and novel product ideas. From 2023 to date, she is acting as legal expert to the International Olympic Committee Unit against match-fixing. She actively contributes as author of various articles on gambling both at national and international level and acts as Jury for EGR Italy Awards.

Radek Soběhart

Director of the Behavioral Studies Laboratory, UJEP

PhDr. Radek Soběhart, Ph.D. studied history and political science at the Faculty of Arts, Charles University in Prague, and also pursued studies at the universities of Heidelberg, Berlin, and Bayreuth. He is currently the Director of the Behavioral Studies Laboratory at the Faculty of Social and Economic Studies, UJEP in Ústí nad Labem, and the Director of Research at the Anglo-American University in Prague. His professional focus lies in political psychology, behavioral economics, and the use of modern technologies in analyzing human decision-making.

Registration

Register now

Secure your spot at the conference in advance.
By clicking the button, you will be redirected to the registration page, where you can easily complete your application and find more details about participation.

Organizer

The Institute for Gambling Regulation (IPRH) is a professional platform established in 2018 that brings together key legal entities operating in thegambling sector in the Czech Republic. Since October 2024, we have also been active in Slovakia. We unite the entire market across segments—regardless of operator or game type—and strive to ensure that expert debate is conducted with one voice, constructively and with respect for the public interest.

Our goal is to support effective, transparent, andsocially responsible gambling regulation based on data, player protection, and cooperation with thestate. Instead, we have consistently worked to increase  social responsibility and reduce the risks associated with gambling. Our ambition is to create space for expert dialogue to help shape balanced gambling regulation in the Czech Republic.

Logo ZH1.png

The Responsible Gambling Project is a self-regulatory initiative of gambling operators that effectively complements the existing strict regulation. Instead of blanket bans that restrict players without problems, we believe in early identification and offering help to those who truly need it. Self-regulation within Responsible Gambling includes a commitment by operators to comply obligations that go beyond legal requirements, focusing on strengthening player protection, prevention, employee training, and responsible marketing and advertising. Together, we are working on the development of a unified software solution that identifies at-risk players and can be applied across the entire market.