Responsible Gambling Tools at BetX

A responsible player approaches the game consciously and keeps it under control. That way the risks of excessive play stay small and addiction gets no chance to develop. Much depends on the player: whoever notices their own behaviour will recognise warning signals in time.

The operator has duties set by law. Under §§ 13 to 16 of zákon č. 186/2016 Sb., every gambling operator, EVONA ELECTRONIC, spol. s r.o. not excepted, must provide players with tools and information for safe play: offer financial and time limits, inform them about the risks and about the option of self-exclusion, and protect minors.

Gambling can slip out of control without much notice. Typical symptoms are:

• restlessness, irritability or anxiety at times when you cannot play,
• keeping quiet about gambling to a partner, family or friends,
• trying to win back what you have lost,
• loans for gambling and repeatedly going over limits you set yourself,
• playing ever more frequently or for ever larger amounts,
• putting off duties at work, at school or at home,
• continuing to play in spite of debts or disputes,
• a worsening of mental or physical condition connected with gambling.

Do you, or does someone close to you, fit any of these points? Then it is time to use the preventive tools or to ask for expert help.

In the user account, every registered player will find the tools that BetX offers in accordance with zákon č. 186/2016 Sb.

Deposit limit. For a day, a week or a month you decide the most you will deposit. Once the limit is reached, a further deposit has to wait until the period is over.

Bet and loss limit. It restricts the volume of bets or the net loss in a period you select. On reaching the threshold, further play is no longer possible.

Time limit. It sets how much time a day or a week you may play. Meanwhile, the reality check feature keeps telling you at intervals how long you have spent in the game.

Time-out. For 24 hours, 7 days or 30 days you take a break: no logging in and no play. Afterwards, the account works as before.

You can set, reduce or cancel limits in the account. Raising them is possible only once a protection period of at least 24 hours has passed.

Every registered player will find the panic button in the user interface. One press and you are out of all gambling straight away for 48 hours: the system automatically shuts you out of every online platform the operator runs, and you cannot play in the meantime. In that same moment you may also apply for inclusion in the Register of Excluded Persons (RVO).

Under zákon č. 186/2016 Sb., the feature is compulsory for operators of internet games and gaming halls from 1 July 2024.

Would you like a longer break from gambling, or to stop altogether? Under § 16 and § 16b of zákon č. 186/2016 Sb., you may request the operator to exclude you from gambling, for a period or permanently, doing so in your user account or through the gambling operator.

The resulting entry in the Register of Excluded Persons (RVO) is valid with every operator in the Czech Republic, and it can be removed from the register after 1 year at the earliest.

The Register of Excluded Persons is kept by the Ministry of Finance of the Czech Republic under zákon č. 186/2016 Sb. Once entered, a person is barred from gambling with every operator licensed in the Czech Republic. Entered are people who asked for exclusion themselves as well as persons excluded by law, for instance those against whom enforcement or insolvency proceedings are under way, and people drawing certain benefits.

Ways to apply for entry:

• via the user account kept with the gambling operator,
• by confirming the request once the panic button has been activated,
• by a data box message to the ministry,
• at a Czech POINT branch, in person.

In Czechia gambling is permitted from the age of 18 only, as zákon č. 186/2016 Sb. lays down, and minors must not take part. That is why the operator verifies each player's age and identity, using BankID for instance or some other verification method, at sign-up and again at the withdrawal of winnings.

Give each question a plain yes or no, and be honest with yourself. The set is based on the PGSI (Problem Gambling Severity Index).

1. Would playing less be better for you, in your view?
2. Has gambling taken more of your money than you meant to spend?
3. Do you go on playing so as to recover what you lost?
4. Have you ever borrowed because of gambling?
5. Has someone pointed out to you that you have a gambling problem?
6. Do you tend to feel guilty about gambling?
7. Are your obligations or the people close to you losing out because of gambling?

Several yes answers mean you should use the prevention tools or contact expert help. The test is indicative only; it is not a professional diagnosis.

As soon as you feel that gambling is ceasing to be fun, turn to experts. Discreet help with gambling addiction is offered by:

• Národní linka pro odvykání, a helpline on 800 350 000, free of charge and anonymous;
• the non-governmental organisation Společnost Podané ruce: podaneruce.cz;
• the specialised workplace Klinika adiktologie 1. LF UK a VFN v Praze: adiktologie.cz.

What does the panic button do?

It shuts you out of every kind of gambling on the spot, for 48 hours. Internet game operators and gaming halls must provide it from 1 July 2024.

Can I put myself on the RVO?

Yes. Send the request from your user account with the operator, or confirm it after pressing the panic button. You can also use the MF ČR data box or go to Czech POINT in person.

Which limits can I set at BetX?

Limits on deposits, bets and losses, and on how much time you spend playing; they sit in the responsible gambling part of the user account.

I am afraid I play too much. What next?

Start with the self-test, put limits in place and, if you need to, ring the Národní linka pro odvykání on 800 350 000.

Why does the operator verify my age?

Because only people from 18 may gamble and minors are barred. Age is checked when you register and once more when you take out winnings.

Where can I find more details?

On the operator's pages, in its section devoted to responsible gambling, and on the Ministry of Finance (Ministerstvo financí ČR) website.

When may I apply for removal from the RVO?

No sooner than 1 year after you were entered in the register.

Is any information missing from this page? Write to contact@scorewin.cz.

Gambling in the Czech Republic is permitted from 18 only (18+). The Ministry of Finance warns: “Participation in gambling may lead to addiction.”