HIPTHER is proud to announce the Responsible Gaming & Player Safety Day of HIPTHER Prague Summit, curated by  the Institute for Gambling Regulation (IPRH). This special section is scheduled for Day 2 (25 March) of the Main Focus Stage at HIPTHER Prague Summit 2026.

The thematic day will focus on current issues related to safer gambling, player protection, regulatory trends, compliance, and illegal gambling and its emerging forms. It will bring together legal experts, regulators, safer gambling specialists, and representatives of the gaming industry to discuss how approaches to safer gambling, consumer protection, and the sustainable development of the legal market are evolving across Europe. Attention will also be given to the way new trends in illegal gambling weaken player protection and why tackling the illegal market is an essential part of the debate on a safer gambling environment.

IPRH has long been regarded as a respected voice in the field of gambling regulation, with its representatives regularly contributing to expert discussions on legislation, public policy, and practical player protection tools in the Czech Republic and across the wider Central European region. Its cooperation with HIPTHER builds on a shared ambition to connect innovation in the sector with responsible governance, regulatory dialogue, and a strong public-interest perspective.

Three Key Topics to Watch

Alongside the broader discussion on developments across Europe, the programme will also highlight several concrete topics that are currently shaping both the market and the regulatory debate.

IRIS: one player, one view, across operators

One of the main highlights of the programme will be the presentation of IRIS, a project that introduces a new perspective on player protection. What makes it unique is that it does not look at risky behaviour solely within a single operator’s environment, but through the lens of one player across multiple operators. This approach has the potential to significantly improve early risk detection and strengthen player protection in practice. The current stage of the project will be presented by Petr Rybák, Project Manager of IRIS.

How much does illegal gambling cost the Czech Republic?

Another key session will feature a new economic study by the Centre for Economic and Market Analyses (CETA) focused on illegal gambling in the Czech Republic. The study will provide data on the scale of the illegal market, the volume of money lost outside the legal sector, and the related losses in tax revenues. Its findings will be presented by Jakub Žofčák, one of the study’s authors.

Can the IPRH model expand beyond the Czech Republic?

An important part of the programme will also be a panel discussion featuring representatives of the Czech, Slovak, and newly emerging Polish institutes. The debate will focus on cross-border cooperation in addressing shared issues in regulation and player protection. It will also explore whether the IPRH model can be transferred to other countries. IPRH is not a traditional industry association, but a unique platform bringing together business, regulators, public authorities, experts, and addiction specialists into one functional ecosystem and one shared discussion.

A Programme Connecting Law, Regulation, Research, and Practice

The Responsible Gaming & Player Safety Day will offer a series of expert discussions on regulatory developments, modern player protection tools, responsible marketing, and cross-border cooperation between regulators, experts, and operators.

The programme brings together a broad range of respected professionals from the legal, regulatory, research, and operational sides of the industry. Confirmed speakers include, among others:

• Petr Kozák, Lawyer and Secretary General at IPRH
• Petr Rybák, Institute for Gambling Regulation (IPRH)
• Jan Řehola, Director at IPRH and Partner at PS Legal
• Šimon Vincze, Head of Sustainable & Safer Gambling at Casino Guru
• Bill Pascrell III, Partner at Princeton Public Affairs Group
• Martin Lycka, Vice President Institutional Affairs at Oddin.gg
• Nika Gigashvili, CEO and Partner at SMH Global
• Václav Ulrich, Co-founder of the Institute for Gambling Regulation
• Jakub Žofčák, Centre for Economic and Market Analyses (CETA)
• Alina Tace, Partner at WH Simion & Partners
• Olesea Naidion, Brand Manager at Nightrush
• Dan Illovici, Vice President at ROMBET
• Dávid Lenčéš, Executive Director Institute for Gambling Regulation of the Slovak Republic
• Justyna Grusza-Głębicka, Attorney-at-law and Founder at Kancelaria Adwokacka dr Justyna Grusza-Głębicka

Participants can expect practical insights from different jurisdictions as well as discussion on how regulatory requirements, innovation, and the long-term sustainable development of the legal market can be effectively aligned.

A Shared Commitment to a Safer Market

The cooperation between HIPTHER and the Institute for Gambling Regulation reflects a shared commitment to promoting safer gambling and encouraging informed dialogue between regulators, experts, and market representatives.

“As the gaming environment continues to evolve, so must our approach to player protection. This dedicated day gives us an opportunity to show how technology, data, research, and responsibility can work together in the field of safer gambling. We look forward to discussing how modern regulatory frameworks and practical tools can contribute to a safer and more sustainable environment for all stakeholders,” said Petr Kozák, Lawyer and Secretary General at IPRH.

The Responsible Gaming & Player Safety Day will form a central part of the 10-year anniversary edition of HIPTHER Prague Summit, bringing together leaders from gaming, fintech, AI, blockchain, and regulatory sectors for two days of discussions shaping the future of the industry.

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