Gambling significantly impacts Italy’s economy while exacerbating an addiction crisis. Despite rising revenues, the government plans to reduce funding for addiction prevention and treatment, prioritizing state profits over public health. With Italians spending more on gambling than essential services, the consequences of addiction are severe, affecting millions. As discussions about the budget unfold, the expansion of gambling opportunities raises concerns about increasing addiction rates and related societal issues.
The Economic Impact of Gambling in Italy
Gambling plays a significant role in Italy’s economy, yet it brings with it a substantial addiction crisis. Despite the challenges posed by gambling addiction, the government appears poised to cut funding aimed at addressing this issue while simultaneously expanding gambling opportunities. This expansion is primarily driven by the potential profitability for the state.
From scratch cards to sports betting and lotteries, Italy’s gambling landscape is extensive. This year, the gambling sector is projected to achieve unprecedented revenue levels, with Italians investing more in gambling than in essential services like health care and education.
The Gambling Addiction Epidemic
While gambling contributes to Italy’s economy, it also devastates lives, relationships, and communities. The current budget proposal under discussion in Parliament suggests a reduction in funds dedicated to combating gambling addiction, even as the finance minister outlines plans to broaden gambling offerings.
Gambling addiction is a pressing issue that transcends borders, prompting calls for stricter regulations from various commissions. In Italy, gambling can be encountered almost anywhere—from newsstands and tobacco shops to coffee bars.
In a quaint Roman café near the Vatican, barista Sophia Cecilia offers more than just coffee. She has a selection of colorful lottery tickets displayed prominently, with a starting price of just one euro. “Scratch cards, especially Gratta e Vinci, are a hit because the winnings are immediate,” Cecilia shares.
The SuperEnalotto lottery is among the most prominent, often making headlines for its colossal jackpots. At one point, the jackpot soared to an astounding 371 million euros due to a prolonged lack of winners. The record-breaking jackpot was claimed in February 2023.
The consequences of gambling addiction are severe, leading to various health, financial, and social complications. In 2023, Italians spent nearly 150 billion euros on gambling, with projections suggesting this figure could surpass 160 billion by year-end, according to sociologist Maurizio Fiasco, who leads the association for gambling research.
Fiasco highlights that Italians spend 60% more on gambling than their German counterparts, despite Germany having a significantly larger population. He attributes this to the insufficient government regulation, stating, “We continue to promote gambling, which is counterproductive for a government aiming to steer the country out of crisis.”
As of 2018, approximately 1.5 million Italians were reported to engage in problematic gambling behavior, with many potentially struggling with addiction. Given the rising expenditures on lotteries and sports betting—especially since the pandemic—the number of individuals affected is likely much higher today, constituting a genuine epidemic with devastating repercussions.
Italian actor and comedian Daniele Raco shared his insights on a recent RAI Uno radio program, lamenting the lost time to gambling: “While the money varies for each person, time is a constant. I’ve lost seven years of my life.” Estimates indicate that 140 million working days are squandered on activities like sports betting and slot machines.
Despite the alarming situation, the government under Giorgia Meloni intends to broaden gambling options. The current budget draft includes anticipated revenues from an expanded state lottery, as explained by Finance Minister Giancarlo Giorgetti during a budget committee hearing. A fund designed for national emergencies is set to benefit from the proceeds of an additional lottery draw.
Conversely, the government is proposing to slash 50 million euros from funds allocated for combating gambling addiction—money established over a decade ago by former Prime Minister Mario Monti to improve prevention and treatment efforts. Maurizio Fiasco notes that this funding was a response to the industry’s aggressive influence, and he believes Italy’s previous anti-addiction policies, while not fully effective, were commendable.
As the government shifts its focus towards the gambling industry, it raises concerns about the potential influx of addiction and related dysfunctions. The ongoing budget discussions for 2025 have sparked intense debates, yet the issue of gambling has not even been addressed.