At the Institute, we strive to draw information and experience from abroad and to establish good relationships on an international level. We primarily do this at international conferences.
In April, we were honored to welcome the Director General of the Slovak Gambling Regulatory Authority, Martin Bohoš, and the former Director General of the same authority, Dávid Lenčéš, who accepted our invitation. It was a great honor as it was the first time that a foreign regulator visited us at the Institute’s headquarters.
The meeting built on our long-term mutual cooperation. Last year, David Lenčéš participated in our National Conference on Gambling, which took place during Responsible Gambling Week at the Academy of Sciences. Conversely, Jan Řehola represented the Institute at a conference on responsible gambling in Slovakia.
Historically, the Czech Republic and Slovakia have much in common across various sectors, and gambling is no exception. However, there are differences in the details of our approaches. It is therefore fantastic that we can inspire each other, share experiences, and collaborate.
Our teams met at one table to share current experiences and information about our respective markets.
Our Slovak colleagues were very interested not only in the functioning of our Institute and the activities we carry out for our members but also in our efforts towards the state. They particularly noted our close collaboration with various authorities, which they felt was lacking in Slovakia. 
“Building bridges between the state as a regulator, local government, the public, and the market based on professional, substantive, and factual communication and discussion is the absolute foundation of sustainable regulation of gambling, which aims to eliminate the negative impacts of this sector on the market and society. IFGR is a concrete and tangible example of how such an approach has its place and future not only in the Czech Republic but also in Slovakia,” said David Lenčéš about IFGR.
After the meeting, Martin Bohoš stated on his social media that “The Institute for the Regulation of Gambling under the leadership of Jan Řehola is doing excellent work and has managed to create a unique professional platform in the field of gambling regulation, which currently plays an indispensable role in the Czech Republic. This project has the potential to create a space for truly professional, cultivated, and effective communication between the state, local government, operators, and the public. Slovakia is waiting for such a project.”
From our perspective, what is lacking in the Czech Republic is a strategic document or a long-term concept of gambling regulation that would set the direction of regulation over a longer time horizon. This should be prepared based on analyses, data, and predefined goals that the regulator aims to achieve. Such a document would add value for all stakeholders and contribute to a much more predictable environment than what we have today.
