Scratch tickets, sports bets, lotteries: the offer of games of chance in Italy is huge. This year also saw a new record for revenues in this sector. Italians spend more money on games of chance than on their health or education, commented the German public media ARD.
Lottery games are an important economic factor in Italy. Addiction to them, however, ruins destinies, relationships, human lives. But it is precisely in the new draft budget of the country, which is being discussed in the parliament these days, that the government has pledged to cut the funds for the prevention and fight against gambling addiction. Something more. The finance minister is even planning an even bigger set of such gambling games.
Games of happiness at every turn
And in Italy they are literally everywhere – available at newsstands, tobacconists and coffee shops. Their shelves are lined with endless rows of colorful packets of tickets: cheap and tempting. The starting price for the lotto is only 1 euro. Especially popular are the Gratta e Vinci scratch tickets, whose winnings are paid out immediately after purchase. And there are national and regional lotto games. The most popular is SuperEnalotto with a giant jackpot that regularly hits the media headlines. Once the jackpot collected a fabulous 371 million euros, because for months no one managed to guess six out of a total of 90 possible numbers. The record jackpot was hit in February 2023.
The supply is great, but the demand is also huge. ARD cites data according to which in 2023 Italians spent 147 billion and 700 million euros on such games. It is estimated that this year the expenditure will reach almost 160 billion euros. "In Italy, such games are given 60% more money than in Germany, although its population is 40% more numerous," says sociologist Maurizio Fiasco. He blames the state for this development: "We encourage games of chance, although this is not advisable for a policy that wants to lead the country out of the crisis".
One and a half million Italians have problematic behavior bordering on gambling addiction. This was established back in 2018 by the Italian health authorities. Especially during the pandemic, Italians' spending on the lotto and games of chance skyrocketed, so the number affected by this addiction is probably significantly higher. A real epidemic reigns with dramatic consequences for addicts, commented ARD.
Despite all this, the government of Giorgia Meloni intends to increase the supply of games of chance. In the draft budget discussed by the parliament, additional revenues from the state lottery have already been pledged. A national disaster relief fund will be fueled by additional lottery draws.
Rome cuts money to fight addiction
At the same time, the government is cutting 50 million euros, which was earmarked for the fight against gambling addictions. This fund was created more than 10 years ago by then Prime Minister Mario Monti to coordinate therapies and preventive measures.
According to Maurizio Fiasco, the current government has "squatted" before the gambling industry. "It is clear that all floodgates are being opened for a new rise in gambling addictions and related diseases," says the sociologist.
Author: Tilman Kleinjung (ARD)