The package of measures on gaming announced by the Government arrives in the Stability Law. An amendment tabled tonight in the Budget Committee provides that the single tax levy on machines with cash prizes (AWP) rises by 2,5 percentage points, to 17,5%. At the same time, however, the payout drops from 74 to 70%., i.e. the obligatory percentage of winnings returned to the player.
Furthermore, from next year, the clearance for AWP devices will be issued only to replace existing ones, effectively excluding the possibility of installing additional devices.
The government it also prohibits the advertising of games with cash prizes on generalist radio and TV broadcasts from 7 to 22. The "specialized media" which will have to be identified "by decree of the Ministry of the Economy in agreement with the Ministry of Economic Development", as well as "national lotteries with deferred draws" are excluded from this prohibition.
Then comes one close on how advertising for games should be done: it is forbidden to encourage excessive or uncontrolled gambling, to deny that gambling may involve risks, to suggest the idea that gambling can solve financial problems or lead to success and increase self-esteem, to imply that the skill of the player (and not case) may determine the outcome of the bet.
Furthermore, advertising on games may not address minors or represent non-gamblers in a negative way, nor should it refer to consumer credit services that can be used immediately for gaming purposes. Anyone who violates these rules will receive a fine of between 100 and 500 euros from the Communications Authority.
Gambling is not the only intervention in the Budget, which has reached the final rush in commission. There are coming 600 million more to the Regions for debt reduction, with total funds that would rise from 1,3 to 1,9 billion.
