Fortuna: Responsible Gambling, Limits and Addiction Prevention

In §§ 13 to 16, zákon č. 186/2016 Sb. provides that a gambling operator must equip players with tools and information that allow them to play safely. This applies to every operator, and FORTUNA GAME a.s. is no exception. The obligations cover offering financial and time limits, explaining the risks and the option of self-exclusion, and protecting minors.

The term responsible gambling itself refers to a conscious approach to play in which the player stays in control. The goal is to keep the risks of excessive gambling small and to prevent addiction. It cannot work without the player's own involvement: anyone who pays close attention to their behaviour will recognise warning signs early.

Gambling addiction does not develop from one day to the next. Pay attention to moments when:

• you go back to gambling only to win back what you have lost,
• gambling takes away time meant for work, study or family,
• you bet more often, or bigger amounts than before,
• you conceal your gambling from those close to you,
• you continue even though gambling already leads to debts or arguments,
• you borrow to play or keep breaking your own financial limits,
• you feel uneasy, irritable or anxious when you are not playing,
• you feel worse mentally or physically because of gambling.

If any of these points applies to you or someone around you, consider the prevention tools or speaking to a specialist.

Every registered player will find tools in their account for monitoring and restricting their gambling. The Fortuna brand provides them under zákon č. 186/2016 Sb.

Watching the clock and reality check

You can decide how much time a day or a week you are allowed to spend gambling. A reality check supports this: a notice that appears regularly and tells you how much time has gone by in the game.

Time-out for 24 hours, 7 days or 30 days

A short break during which you cannot sign in to the account and gambling is not possible. When the chosen period ends, the account is active again.

Daily, weekly and monthly deposit limit

You set the maximum amount you will send to your gaming account in a day, a week or a month. Once you hit it, no deposit goes through until the period is over.

A cap on bets and losses

You can also restrict the total amount you stake, or your net loss, over a selected period. When you reach that cap, the system blocks any further bets or play.

Setting, lowering or removing a limit is done directly in your account. A limit can only be raised after a protection period lasting at least 24 hours.

Anyone who needs to stop gambling right away can use the so-called panic button. It sits directly in the user interface and is there for all registered players.

Activating it means automatic exclusion from all online platforms of the operator concerned. The player then cannot join any gambling for 48 hours. At the same moment, they are offered the chance to request entry into the Register of Excluded Persons (RVO).

The legal basis is § 16bb of zákon č. 186/2016 Sb., under which the panic button has been mandatory for gambling operators since 1 July 2024.

You can back up a decision to stop gambling formally. Under zákon č. 186/2016 Sb., every player may ask to be excluded from gambling and decide whether the exclusion should be temporary or permanent. You submit the request in your user account or directly through the operator.

Inclusion in the Register of Excluded Persons (RVO) has nationwide reach: it is valid for all gambling operators in the Czech Republic. Removal becomes possible after one year 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.

• In the Czech Republic, gambling is permitted only from the age of 18, as laid down by zákon č. 186/2016 Sb.
• The operator must verify the age and identity of each player, for example through BankID or another verification method.
• Checks happen when a player registers and once more when they cash out winnings, because gambling by minors is strictly forbidden.

Think about seven questions based on the Problem Gambling Severity Index, PGSI:

1. Do you feel the need to restrict your gambling?
2. Do you borrow money in order to play?
3. Do you lose more than you originally meant to spend?
4. Do people around you talk about you having a gambling problem?
5. Do you try to even out losses by continuing to play?
6. Does gambling make you feel guilty?
7. Do your obligations or relationships suffer because of gambling?

Several positive answers are a sign that it is a good idea to reach for prevention tools or to turn to specialists. The test is purely indicative and does not replace a professional diagnosis.

If gambling has stopped being entertainment, it is a good idea to talk to professionals. Discreet, expert help with gambling addiction is available from the National Helpline for Addiction on 800 350 000, which you can call free of charge and anonymously. Other places to turn to are Společnost Podané ruce (podaneruce.cz) and the Clinic of Addictology, 1st Faculty of Medicine, Charles University and General University Hospital in Prague, whose website is adiktologie.cz.

The address contact@fortuna-recenze.cz is there for any questions concerning the content of this page and for requests for further information.

I suspect I am addicted. What is the first step? You can start with the self-test, set limits for yourself, or turn to the National Helpline for Addiction, telephone 800 350 000. What is the panic button and since when is it compulsory? It is a tool for immediate exclusion from all gambling, lasting 48 hours. It has been compulsory since 1 July 2024. Which limits does Fortuna offer? A deposit limit, a bet limit, a loss limit and a time limit. They are all set in the user account under responsible gambling. Can minors gamble? No, people under 18 are barred from taking part. This is verified at registration and also when winnings are withdrawn. How can I apply for entry into the RVO? Through your account with the operator, by activating the panic button, through the data box of the Ministry of Finance (Ministerstvo financí ČR) or in person at Czech POINT. How long before I can leave the RVO? You can ask to be removed from the register only after one year from the entry. Where can I find more detail on responsible gambling? In the responsible gambling section of the operator's website, or on the website of the Czech Ministry of Finance.

People under 18 may not take part in gambling (18+).

Ministerstvo financí ČR warns that addiction may arise from participation in gambling. Help contacts are listed above.