Gambling brings excitement, which is a part of entertainment, but also a basis of operant conditioning, which, in conjunction with other biological and psychological factors, leads to the loss of control over the player's behaviour. This gambling disorder (problem gambling) is characterized by a high intensity and episodic character of gambling and a high amount of staked money, with negative consequences to players and their close ones. Problem gamblers have a high rate of psychiatric comorbidity, as well as suicide. Various gambling products pose a different risk of problem gambling. The game's risk is determined by the arousal for players, the social nature of the game, or the degree of skill required for gambling. It is an effect of so-called structural and situational characteristics, such as amount and variability of bets, structure and probability of win, jackpot, game speed, near wins, audio and visual effects, etc. The game risk increases also with its accessibility or with substance use while playing. In the Czech Republic, there is a high availability of electronic gaming machines (EGM) compared to the neighbouring countries; the availability of on-line games has increased dramatically in recent years. There is also an observed increase in participation in on-line gambling, not just odds and live betting, but also technical games or casino games as reported in population surveys. Estimated up to 5.7% of the adult population is at risk of problem gambling (approx. 510 thousand persons), of which 1.2-1.4% are at a high risk (approx. 80-120 thousand persons). EGMs represent the highest risk, but also casino or on-line games including odds betting, especially live betting shows high risk of problem gambling. Most of the problem gamblers are men; especially young men are highly vulnerable. Although the new Gambling Act has introduced a number of new preventive measures since 2017 according to basic types of games, the assessment of the risk potential of particular gambling products is not a part of their licensing. This contributes to increasing availability of high-risk games, especially on-line.

• Klíčová slova
• gambling, gambling disorder, situational characteristics, structural characteristics,
• MeSH
• dospělí MeSH
• hráčství * epidemiologie   MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• Check Tag
• dospělí MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• mužské pohlaví MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• Geografické názvy
• Česká republika MeSH

In 2019, a questionnaire was conducted among foreigners living in the Czech Republic focused on gambling, in which 110 respondents from Vietnam and 80 respondents from Ukraine answered. Firstly, the Attitudes towards gambling scale (ATGS-8) was used to discover respondents' attitudes to gambling. Secondly, their experience with gambling was examined with the help of the Problem Gambling Severity Index (PGSI) which allowed, among others, to estimate the level of prevalence of problem gambling in these groups. The methods used allowed us to compare both the Ukrainians to Vietnamese as well as Ukrainians and Vietnamese to Czechs, as similar survey was conducted among the major population of the country in 2017. The overall score of attitudes to gambling is slightly higher for the citizens of Ukraine (17.97) and Vietnam (18.29) compared to the majority. The Vietnamese living in the Czech Republic also have a significantly higher proportion of people in the category of pathological gamblers as based on the PGSI index (Vietnamese 4.2%), whilst the value of this index for Ukrainians (0.7%) is similar to the one of the majority. The analysis of immigrants' gambling behaviour shows that Ukrainians are more like the majority population. The Vietnamese immigrants differ from both the majority population and Ukrainians in terms of attitudes whilst gambling is for them as common problem as alcohol consumption, and an even bigger problem than smoking.

• Klíčová slova
• ATGS-8, Gambling, PGSI, Ukrainians, Vietnamese,
• MeSH
• hráčství * psychologie   MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• průzkumy a dotazníky MeSH
• Check Tag
• lidé MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• Geografické názvy
• Česká republika epidemiologie   MeSH
• Ukrajina epidemiologie   MeSH
• Vietnam MeSH

OBJECTIVE: Recent developments in online lotteries and betting and in digitalization of land-based gambling devices bring new opportunities to track behaviour of individual players and to identify and address developing problem in its initial stages. Early identification of gambling disorder allows for timely intervention and increases the likelihood of successful recovery and minimises harms. Our review aims to examine what on-site strategies are available in both online and offline gambling venues to early identify and address the developing gambling problem while also assessing their effectiveness and strength of the evidence. METHODS: We searched main academic databases and other internet resources and collected 67 peer-reviewed papers and grey literature documents that describe one or more such strategies. RESULTS: Available measures ranged from information provision, gambling behaviour surveillance and associated personalized interventions to setting limits and self-exclusion. CONCLUSIONS: Although a number of methods how to address disordered gambling are available to gambling operators, there is still insufficient evidence about the validity and reliability of identification strategies and about effectiveness of the intervention methods.

• Klíčová slova
• early intervention and identification, gambling disorder, online gambling, operator-based approaches, prevention,
• MeSH
• časná diagnóza MeSH
• časná lékařská intervence metody   MeSH
• hráčství diagnóza   terapie   MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• Check Tag
• lidé MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• systematický přehled MeSH

Evidence about social costs of gambling is scarce and the methodology for their calculation has been a subject to strong criticism. We aimed to estimate social costs of gambling in the Czech Republic 2012. This retrospective, prevalence based cost of illness study builds on the revised methodology of Australian Productivity Commission. Social costs of gambling were estimated by combining epidemiological and economic data. Prevalence data on negative consequences of gambling were taken from existing national epidemiological studies. Economic data were taken from various national and international sources. Consequences of problem and pathological gambling only were taken into account. In 2012, the social costs of gambling in the Czech Republic were estimated to range between 541,619 and 619,608 thousands EUR. While personal and family costs accounted for 63% of all social costs, direct medical costs were estimated to range from 0.25 to 0.28% of all social costs only. This is the first study which estimates social costs of gambling in any of the Central and East European countries. It builds upon the solid evidence about prevalence of gambling related problems in the Czech Republic and satisfactorily reliable economic data. However, there is a number of limitations stemming from assumptions that were made, which suggest that the methodology for the calculation of the social costs of gambling needs further development.

• Klíčová slova
• Addiction, Cost of illness, Czech Republic, Gambling, Prevalence,
• MeSH
• hráčství ekonomika   psychologie   MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• návykové chování ekonomika   psychologie   MeSH
• osobní újma zaviněná nemocí * MeSH
• prevalence MeSH
• průzkumy a dotazníky MeSH
• retrospektivní studie MeSH
• socioekonomické faktory MeSH
• zpráva o sobě MeSH
• Check Tag
• lidé MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• Geografické názvy
• Česká republika MeSH

OBJECTIVE: While many individuals gamble responsibly, some develop maladaptive symptoms of a gambling disorder. Gambling problems often first occur in young people, yet little is known about the longitudinal course of such symptoms and whether this course can be predicted. The aim of this study was to identify latent subtypes of disordered gambling based on symptom presentation and identify predictors of persisting gambling symptoms over time. METHODS: 575 non-treatment seeking young adults (mean age [SD] = 22.3 [3.6] years; 376 (65.4%) male) were assessed at baseline and annually, over three years, using measures of gambling severity. Latent subtypes of gambling symptoms were identified using latent mixture modeling. Baseline differences were characterized using analysis of variance and binary logistic regression respectively. RESULTS: Three longitudinal phenotypes of disordered gambling were identified: high harm group (N = 5.6%) who had moderate-severe gambling disorder at baseline and remained symptomatic at follow-up; intermediate harm group (19.5%) who had problem gambling reducing over time; and low harm group (75.0%) who were essentially asymptomatic. Compared to the low harm group, the other two groups had worse baseline quality of life, elevated occurrence of other mental disorders and substance use, higher body mass indices, and higher impulsivity, compulsivity, and cognitive deficits. Approximately 5% of the total sample showed worsening of gambling symptoms over time, and this rate did not differ significantly between the groups. CONCLUSIONS: Three subtypes of disordered gambling were found, based on longitudinal symptom data. Even the intermediate gambling group had a profundity of psychopathological and untoward physical health associations. Our data indicate the need for large-scale international collaborations to identify predictors of clinical worsening in people who gamble, across the full range of baseline symptom severity from minimal to full endorsement of current diagnostic criteria for gambling disorder.

• Klíčová slova
• Addiction, Cognition, Gambling, Impulsivity, Latent, Subtypes,
• MeSH
• fenotyp MeSH
• hráčství klasifikace   MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• mladý dospělý MeSH
• následné studie MeSH
• progrese nemoci MeSH
• psychologické modely * MeSH
• Check Tag
• lidé MeSH
• mladý dospělý MeSH
• mužské pohlaví MeSH
• ženské pohlaví MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• práce podpořená grantem MeSH

Gambling disorder (GD) is a topical problem in developed countries and may be present in 1-3% of the general population. The pathophysiology of this disorder is largely unknown but it shares similarities to other behavioral addictions. Multiple neurotransmitter systems, including dopaminergic, serotonergic, noradrenergic, glutamatergic, and opioidergic, have been implicated in GD. Based on available articles, only the opioid antagonist naltrexone has been documented to demonstrate clinical efficacy in multiple studies including double-blind studies. Nalmefene, another opioid antagonist, may be active as well but its dose-response effect remains unclear. Contrarily, current test results do not support the therapeutic use of any antidepressant drug. Some positive data has been made available supporting the use of N-acetylcystein, but more studies are needed to confirm this. No clear or definite information is currently available for other drugs.

• Klíčová slova
• addictive behavior, drug therapy, gambling disorder, pharmacological treatment,
• MeSH
• hráčství farmakoterapie   MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• psychotropní léky terapeutické užití   MeSH
• směrnice pro lékařskou praxi jako téma MeSH
• Check Tag
• lidé MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• práce podpořená grantem MeSH
• přehledy MeSH
• Názvy látek
• psychotropní léky MeSH

Application of the concept of corporate social responsibility (CSR) is of fundamental importance for the future existence and success of gambling operators, the activity of which is linked to a risk of addiction to gambling together with the negative impacts of this on the health and wellbeing of gamblers, families and society as a whole. Gambling operators must apply and effectively communicate socially responsible activities in the economic, environmental, ethical, social and philanthropic fields and in particular in the field of responsible gambling. Nowadays, it is necessary to ensure communication via modern channels in the form of corporate websites and social networks. This study evaluates the level of web-based CSR communication by gambling operators which operate in one of the post-communist countries-the Czech Republic (114 companies). It at the same time provides an alternative method of evaluating the level of CSR communication by gambling operators which makes it possible to uncover weaknesses and room for improvement on the part of the gambling operator's CSR communication practices. The results of the study show that the level of web-based CSR communication of gambling operators operating in the Czech Republic is low, both in comparison with controversial companies and also with non-controversial companies. Economic responsibility activities, responsible gambling and philanthropic responsibility activities are communicated to the greatest extent. On the contrary, ethical responsibility activities are communicated the least.

• Klíčová slova
• Corporate social responsibility, Czech Republic, Gambling operators, Responsible gambling, Web-based communication,
• MeSH
• dospělí MeSH
• hráčství epidemiologie   MeSH
• internet * MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• návykové chování epidemiologie   MeSH
• organizační kultura MeSH
• sociální chování MeSH
• sociální odpovědnost * MeSH
• veřejná politika MeSH
• Check Tag
• dospělí MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• Geografické názvy
• Česká republika MeSH

AIM: To provide an overview of gambling and associated problems in the Czech Republic, including an overview of the historical context, legislation, prevalence, treatment and research base and agenda. METHODS: A review of literature and relevant sources. RESULTS: The trajectory of gambling patterns in the territory of the Czech Republic in the 20th century reflected broad socio-political changes. Those included significant expansion between the wars, strict state control and bans on some gambling activities during the communist regime and finally dynamic development characterized by a boom in electronic gaming machines (EGMs) and increasing accessibility of gambling facilities after 1989, which aggravated gambling-related problems. Many municipalities have banned EGMs, which has created conflict in regulation at state and municipal levels. The draft gambling law prepared in 2014 aims to clarify the regulatory framework. Before 2012 there was only sporadic research interest in gambling, but in 2012 the first complex research on gaming and problem gambling in the Czech population took place. The estimated prevalence of problem gambling is currently 2% in the population aged 15-64 years. Preventive measures, counselling and treatment services for problem gamblers are limited. CONCLUSIONS: Weak and ineffective regulation of the gambling market in the Czech Republic during the past 20 years, despite the large growth in gambling, has led to inadequate prevention and response to problem gambling which has become a considerable public health, social and political issue.

• Klíčová slova
• Czech Republic, gambling, prevalence, problem gambling, regulation, research, treatment,
• MeSH
• behaviorální výzkum * dějiny   trendy   MeSH
• dějiny 18. století MeSH
• dějiny 20. století MeSH
• dějiny 21. století MeSH
• dějiny starověku MeSH
• dějiny středověku MeSH
• hráčství * epidemiologie   dějiny   terapie   MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• návykové chování * epidemiologie   dějiny   terapie   MeSH
• prevalence MeSH
• Check Tag
• dějiny 18. století MeSH
• dějiny 20. století MeSH
• dějiny 21. století MeSH
• dějiny starověku MeSH
• dějiny středověku MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• historické články MeSH
• práce podpořená grantem MeSH
• Geografické názvy
• Česká republika epidemiologie   MeSH

We use the synthetic control method to examine whether land-based gambling ban has an effect on crime in a given city. In a sample of four Czech cities where the ban was introduced, we show that these cities had roughly the same crime rate development in the years after the ban as the control cities without the ban, showing that there is no significant impact. As this is, to our knowledge, the first use of the synthetic control method in the context of gambling, the main contribution of this study lies in demonstrating the possibilities in its use. Employing this versatile method may improve the current situation where many gambling impact studies suffer from the absence of a control group or an identification strategy to confirm causal relationship. Last but not least, the results of this study make an important contribution to the debate on blanket measures in gambling regulation; although pathological gambling is linked to crime, banning this activity may not lead to the expected consequences.

• Klíčová slova
• Criminality, Czech Republic, Gambling, Panel data, Synthetic control method,
• MeSH
• hráčství * psychologie   MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• návykové chování psychologie   MeSH
• zločin * statistika a číselné údaje   psychologie   prevence a kontrola   MeSH
• Check Tag
• lidé MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• Geografické názvy
• Česká republika MeSH

Gambling encompasses a wide variety of activities, and the structural characteristics of each form contribute to its potential risk. However, the literature does not fully agree on the risk levels of certain gambling forms. In this study, we classify less risky gambling forms (soft forms) based on public perceptions of their riskiness. We examine the link between gambling experience and problem gambling prevalence. A survey was conducted in a model region of the Czech Republic, a post-socialist country with high gambling availability, with N = 2,498 respondents. A typology of gambling forms (lotteries, betting, and casino games) was created based on perceived risk similarities. Lotteries are the most frequently played gambling form, with 86.3% reporting lifetime participation. Among those who exclusively engage in lottery-type forms, 15 percentage points more women than men participated in the last year, and the gap widens to 31 points over a lifetime. Forms of gambling perceived as more risky show a lower proportion of non-problem gamblers, both for recent and lifetime participation. Furthermore, individuals who gambled within the past month or year are at higher risk of developing gambling problems compared to those whose gambling experiences were less recent.

• Klíčová slova
• Experience, Gambling, Lottery, PGSI short-form, Perceived riskiness, Soft gambling,
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH