Responsible Gambling at Tipsport Vegas: Player Rights and Protection Tools

Gambling should remain a pastime that the player keeps under control. That is the idea behind responsible gambling: you play deliberately, keep the risks of excessive play low and leave no room for an addiction to develop.

Zákon č. 186/2016 Sb. does not leave all of this to players, however. A gambling operator, and therefore Tipsport.net a.s. as well, must provide players with:

• the option of setting limits on money and time,
• information about the risks of gambling and how to request self-exclusion,
• protection for minors.

The rest is up to you: by keeping track of your own behaviour, you can spot the warning signs of problem gambling in time.

Problem gambling takes many forms and is often overlooked for a long time. The warning signs fall into three groups.

Finances

Repeatedly exceeding your own budget, borrowing money to gamble and trying to make up losses with further bets, in other words chasing losses.

Behaviour

A growing need to play more often or for more, neglecting work, school or family, continuing to gamble despite debts and conflicts, and hiding gambling from loved ones.

Mind and health

Restlessness, irritability or anxiety when gambling is not possible, and a decline in mental or physical health linked to play.

If these signs appear in you or in someone close to you, we recommend turning to the prevention tools or contacting professional support.

In line with zákon č. 186/2016 Sb., Tipsport Vegas gives players several ways to keep their gambling within bounds. As a registered player, you will find them in your user account.

How much may I deposit?

As much as your deposit limit allows. It is set per day, week or month, and once you reach it you must wait for the period to end before depositing again.

How do I restrict how much I stake and lose?

With the bet and loss limit. It sets an upper boundary on the value of bets or on net loss within the chosen period; when you reach it, further play is no longer possible.

How do I keep track of time?

With a time limit per day or week. It comes with a reality check that regularly tells you how long you have been in the game.

What if I need a break?

Choose a time-out of 24 hours, 7 days or 30 days. During it you will not log in or play; once it is over, the account works again.

In the account you can set, lower or cancel limits. If you want to raise a limit, wait until the protection period, which lasts at least 24 hours, has run out.

Since 1 July 2024, operators of internet gambling and gaming halls have had to provide players with a so-called panic button. This obligation was introduced by § 16bb of zákon č. 186/2016 Sb.

What happens after it is pressed:

1. the player is excluded from all gambling immediately and temporarily,
2. the exclusion automatically covers all the operator's online platforms,
3. for 48 hours the player cannot take part in gambling,
4. at the same time, the player is invited to file an application for inclusion in the Register of Excluded Persons (RVO).

The button is located in the user interface and intended for all registered players.

Deciding to stop gambling for a while or completely is your legal right. It is governed by § 16 and § 16b of zákon č. 186/2016 Sb.: a player may ask the operator for temporary or permanent exclusion from play. You submit the request in your user account or, alternatively, through the operator.

Once you are entered in the Register of Excluded Persons (RVO), the exclusion applies to every gambling operator in the Czech Republic, not just one. You can be removed from the register one year after the entry at the earliest.

The Register of Excluded Persons (RVO) ensures that an exclusion applies to all licensed gambling operators in the Czech Republic, not only to one. It is kept by the Ministry of Finance of the Czech Republic on the basis of zákon č. 186/2016 Sb.

Entry can concern:

• anyone who asks for exclusion themselves,
• anyone excluded by law, for instance a person subject to enforcement or insolvency proceedings, or a recipient of certain benefits.

If you are applying yourself, you can choose between your user account with the operator, the panic button followed by confirmation of the application, the Ministry of Finance's data box or a personal visit to Czech POINT.

A gambling operator must know who is playing with it: it checks each player's age and identity, for example via BankID or another verification tool. The reason is zákon č. 186/2016 Sb., under which gambling in the Czech Republic is reserved for people aged 18 and over. Participation by minors is therefore strictly prohibited, and this is monitored at registration and when winnings are withdrawn.

Please note: this is a rough aid and does not replace a diagnosis from a professional. The questions are derived from the PGSI questionnaire (Problem Gambling Severity Index).

• Do you return to gambling to catch up on what you lost?
• Do you often spend more on gambling than you wanted to?
• Have you borrowed so that you could keep playing?
• Have you ever thought that you play too much and should cut down?
• Have you neglected a duty or a relationship because of gambling?
• Do you blame yourself for gambling?
• Have people around you noticed that you have difficulties with gambling?

Did you answer yes to more than one question? Then we recommend using the prevention tools or seeking professional help.

Where to find discreet professional help with gambling addiction:

• by phone: National Helpline for Addiction, 800 350 000, free and anonymous,
• at a non-governmental organisation: Společnost Podané ruce, podaneruce.cz,
• at a specialist clinic: Clinic of Addictology, 1st Faculty of Medicine, Charles University and General University Hospital in Prague, adiktologie.cz.

Do not hesitate to contact professionals as soon as you feel that gambling is no longer fun.

Do you have a question about the text, or are some details missing for you? Write to the editorial team at contact@tipsport-hra.cz.

Is gambling allowed for people under 18? It is not. The law prohibits participation by minors, and the operator checks this at registration and again when winnings are withdrawn. Which limits can I set at Tipsport Vegas, and where? Limits on deposits, bets, losses and time spent playing are available. You will find them in your user account, in the responsible gambling area. What exactly does the panic button do? It removes you from all gambling at once for 48 hours. Offering it has been mandatory for operators since 1 July 2024. I think I have a gambling problem. What should I do? Complete the self-test, restrict yourself with limits, or contact the National Helpline for Addiction on 800 350 000. How do I get into the Register of Excluded Persons (RVO)? You can apply in your account with the operator, by activating the panic button, via a data box message to the Ministry of Finance, or in person at Czech POINT. How soon can I be removed from the RVO? Removal becomes possible one year after the entry into the register at the earliest. Where can I look for more information? With the operator, on its website in the responsible gambling part, or on the website of the Ministry of Finance of the Czech Republic.

For adults only: 18+. Only those who have turned 18 may gamble.

Official warning: Ministerstvo financí ČR states that gambling participation may lead to addiction.