Italy Extends Its Ban on Gambling

The world is still reeling in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, which has had an effect not only on the health of people worldwide but has put a tremendous economic strain on many nations around the globe. While some countries are immerging steadily from the grip of national lockdowns and stringent pandemic protocols, other more hard-hit regions are taking things a little slower. 

While the small Mediterranean country was one of the earliest regions to face the full force of COVID19, there are still portions of its economy that remain shut to date.  

Following a temporary ban on land-based gambling activities, which was due to lift on March 6th, new Prime Minister, Mario Draghi, announced that the suspension of gaming activities would continue until the 6th of April when its status will come under review again. This temporary ban would extend to arcades, betting rooms, bingo halls, casinos, and theme parks.  

 A History of Stringent Gambling Enforcement 

Most forms of gambling are legal in Italy and have been for a long time now, including online casino gaming and sportsbooks (since the early 2000s), which have undoubtedly scored during this time. Much like today, two decades ago, the Italian government seemed questionably strict about gambling practice within its borders. 

The earliest signs of this in the online gambling sphere are evident in the country’s initial intolerance for outside influence in their betting circles. This drew the attention of the European Union, which sanctioned the country in 2006 and then ordered them to amend its laws in 2009, to allow foreign operators to offer remote gambling to its residents. 

This led to the 2009 Abrizo decree, legalising remotely offered online poker, casino games, virtual betting, and remote betting exchanges in Italy. All legal betting sites and establishments had to (and still must) apply for and receive a valid licence from the state regulator, Amministrazione Autonoma del dei Monopoli di Stado Stato (AAMS) before servicing the nation. 

 Limiting Growth in the Industry 

One would assume that the gambling market would have gone from strength to strength under the new laws. Its popularity certainly did increase, which caused the government to relook at its legislation and implement protocols to limit its fierce growth, which was leading to an upward spiral in problem gaming.  

As such the government imposed new gambling advertising regulations aimed at limiting the public’s exposure to gambling marketing. 

The advertising restrictions resulted in the banning of sports sponsorships by gaming/betting companies and prohibited casinos of any sort from advertising on both printed and digital media platforms. This meant that players would have to actively seek out casinos to find out what bonuses and promotions they held. 

In short, while allowing citizens to bet to their heart’s content, the state seems sold out to make it as difficult as possible for betting institutions to operate in the country.  

 Problem Gaming High Season 

While we understand that social distancing is an important factor in combatting the current pandemic, the continued shutdown of land-based gambling institutions can be doing no favours to the government’s coffers right now (as gambling makes up around €4.5 billion each year) and it has driven the unemployment rate up significantly.  

Former Italian Senator, Gianfranco Pasquino has his reservations about extending casino closures any longer, citing that it proposed a gap in the market for criminal activities. He said: 

“My only preoccupation concerns the likelihood that keeping legal gambling venues closed, all or much of the gambling will fall into the hands of organized crime.” 

Many other countries have re-opened the casino industry through measured steps that promote responsible practices. All we can do is stand by with bated breath and hope that the 6th of April will see a continuance of trade for this hard-hit industry.