The so-called Balduzzi Decree, named after the current Minister of Health, contains many innovations also for the gaming sector, with gambling addiction elevated to a real disease which as such must be addressed. An evil, that of gaming, which however remains necessary, given the revenue of 4,3 billion euros brought to the treasury, and which should not be weakened, but only limited.
Therefore, advertising messages that encourage gambling will be prohibited in the thirty minutes preceding and following broadcasts dedicated to minors, and the obligation will be introduced, in commercials, to indicate, as on cigarette packs, the risk of addiction, as well as the real chance of winning. An indication, that of the risks related to gambling, which must be extended to all gaming halls, which will display information material
Another task that the sector will have to face is the relocation of the slot halls at a safe distance from sensitive places such as schools and hospitals, as well as an expansion of controls for the protection of minors.
The president of Assoassociazione, Massimiliano Pucci, says he is satisfied with these changes: "it is the first chance that we have been given to demonstrate to institutions and citizens that we are an industry compatible with civil life", and defines essential "an initial regulation of advertisements".
The strict legislation does not worry the sector also because it has been the risk that the minimum distance from sensitive places was set at 500 meters was averted, making it nearly impossible to find a seat for slots and lounges. In the Games sector, then, there are also those who, like the president of Assosnai Francesco Ginestra, propose more restrictive measures, worried by the phenomenon of gambling addiction: "You need a single card with a spending limit and connection time to be used for online game".
The real problem for the sector at this point remains the credit crunch implemented by the banks. Pucci warns: "The banks are adopting a code of ethics and for about a month, in some areas, they do not want to maintain relations with the world of gaming".
