Gambling: The government takes a stance without the courage to make strong decisions. And it gives in to the gambling lobby.

The proposal to reorganize the entire sector, presented to regions, municipalities, and associations, isn't convincing. We're taking it too easy to reduce slot machines: it smells like a procrastination. And the 150-meter distance is ridiculous.

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gambling regulation in Italy

REGULATION OF GAMBLING IN ITALY –

The government is trying to address the scandalous waste of human lives, even more than money, caused by gambling, protected and pampered by the gambling-making state, and is attempting to reach an agreement to reorganize the entire sector. An agreement that rightly requires an understanding with municipalities, regions and associations (from the No Slot movement to Slot Mob, to many other acronyms spread throughout Italy) promising a new law by June. We'll see.

Meanwhile I'll immediately say the things that don't convince me about this government proposal, and even less convincing are the associations that are pushing municipalities to reject any agreement with the government. First: there is a promise, yet another among many unfulfilled, to halve, within the next three years, the approximately 98 thousand gaming points (world record). Why do we have to drag our feet? What are we still waiting for to scrap, as promised, slot machines that have appeared everywhere, like mushrooms in season, thanks to the impunity granted to the gambling lobby (primarily the concessionaires). Second: The reform, prepared by Undersecretary Pier Paolo Baretta, provides for a distance of 150 meters between slot machines and the protection of "sensitive places" (for example: schools, hospitals). Municipalities were asking for at least 500 meters (required, among other things, by Lombardy regional law). Little courage and even less clarity on the "sensitive locations," which should be better and more comprehensively defined. A public park, for example, frequented by young people, families, and students—wouldn't that be a "sensitive location" from which slot machines should be kept at bay?

Giorgio Gori, the mayor of Bergamo, who is very active in the No Slot machine movement, speaks of a "step forward" and an "open game" and rightly points out that all battles, to be won, must be resolved with a point of balance. But the fight against gambling, if real and not virtual, cannot be done only by willing and courageous mayors, while the government and Parliament continue to play the three-card monte. Otherwise, it will simply become a battle against windmills, a losing battle. This scandalous waste of lives, money, health, and the well-being of entire communities is generally ignored.

ALSO READ: Gambling waste: €17 billion lost in one year. One million young people gamble.

NO SLOT ORDINANCE MINERBIO –

The story I'm going to tell you is emblematic. Lorenzo Minganti, mayor of Minerbio, a town of 8 inhabitants on the outskirts of Bologna, last October he has automatically joined the club of "no slot" mayors, which is quite widespread in small Italian municipalities. With a simple ordinance It has provided for the possibility of slot machines operating only from 10am to 13pm and from 17pm to 22pm. Open up heaven. Protests by shopkeepers, protests by bartenders and tobacconists, and by the players themselvesMinganti resisted, knowing that by doing so he risked losing his job due to unpopularity. But then It collapsed when faced with the fact that the Minerbio players simply moved to other neighboring municipalities, where there are no "no slot" mayors, and continued to play. Consuming, between one bet and another, also items and products from tobacconists and bars in the area.

WITHDRAWAL OF THE ANTI-SLOT ORDINANCE IN MINERBIO –

From here the protest at home became even more harsh against Minganti, as The traders of Minerbio presented him with a double bill: for the lost revenues deriving from the prohibited gambling, and for the collapse of revenues in general., since the customers have moved a few kilometers, according to the rules of gambling migrants. And at this point Minganti had to backtrack, and since the beginning of this year he has withdrawn the ordinance and also in his municipality gambling has returned free and beautiful, for everyone and at all hours..

GAMBLING DAMAGES –

We have talked about it more than once on our website: The damage caused by gambling is enormous. And it affects the most vulnerable, young people, and vulnerable couples and families.. A real waste of money, resources and unfortunately sometimes lives. Throughout the country, according to statistics from the Italian Local Health Authorities (ASL) on gambling, 800 people are affected by the gambling bug.

Italy's grassroots, do-it-yourself approach is moving in the right direction, and a slew of mayors are now taking action to contain the phenomenon. And limit the damage. There's even an association, www.noslot.org, which provides very accurate information on the means to combat gambling and on the relevant laws and regulations.

TO KNOW MORE: Mayors should stop slot machines and gambling.

GAMBLING DEALERS IN ITALY –

E then there are the dealersHere we enter a minefield of enormous interests, regarding games and numbers. For example, a large company like Lottomatica, specializing in poker, betting, and bingo, manages to generate approximately €2 billion in revenue (in Italy alone) thanks in part to the Italian state's exclusive concession for the lottery game (since 1993) and instant and deferred lotteries (since 2004).

HOW TO STOP GAMBLING ADDICTION:

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