Small Italian towns have a gambling problem

According to the platform Giocoresponsabile.info, online gambling is reaching alarming proportions in Italy, spreading even to small municipalities and revealing itself as a phenomenon with increasingly complex social, economic, and criminal implications. The recent publication of the second edition of the “Black Book of Online Gambling” has provided new data and insights shedding light on a reality often overlooked: small towns, where low population density does not appear to deter the spread of this issue. In 2023, the total gambling revenue in Italy reached 150 billion euros, exceeding 7% of the national GDP. Of this figure, online gambling accounted for 82.08 billion euros, marking an increase of 12.3% compared to 2022. The per capita revenue in 2023 was 2,996 euros, up from 2,731 euros in 2022. This phenomenon affects all age groups and territories, but the dynamics in small Italian municipalities deserve particular attention. According to the report's analysis, small municipalities – defined as towns with a population between 2,000 and 9,999 inhabitants – represent 41% of all Italian municipalities and host about 25.5% of the national population. Yet in these communities, online gambling revenue amounts to 17.8 billion euros, almost 22% of the total online gambling revenue. These data highlight the spread of the phenomenon even in areas that might seem marginal to the problem.

The analysis reveals that 43 out of the 50 municipalities with the highest per capita gambling spending have fewer than 10,000 inhabitants. Anguillara Veneta, in the province of Padua, stands out with an average per capita spending of 13,073 euros, followed by Calliano (Trento) with 12,749 euros and Moniga del Garda (Brescia) with 11,402 euros. These figures, significantly above the national average, raise questions about the local causes of such concentration. In Anguillara Veneta, for example, online gambling revenue increased from 1.2 million euros in 2021 to almost 40 million euros in 2023. Similar anomalies are also recorded in other areas of the North, such as Moniga del Garda and Calliano, demonstrating that the phenomenon is not exclusive to disadvantaged areas of the South. While Southern Italy is often associated with issues related to gambling and organized crime, the North presents equally concerning numbers. In Padua, although the average spending is one of the lowest in Veneto (960 euros), it hosts the municipality with the highest per capita spending in Italy. Similarly, the province of Brescia – particularly Moniga del Garda – shows significant figures. In the South, locations like Palermo and Messina maintain a strong link between gambling and organized crime, with the underworld using gambling for money laundering. An interesting aspect concerns the intertwining of tourism and gambling. Locations like Capri and Anacapri record high per capita spending, exceeding 9,503 and 5,000 euros respectively in 2023. This suggests that tourist flows may influence gambling volumes, with some economic revenues reinvested in gambling or high-profile occasional players affecting the statistics.

Organized crime has found in legal gambling, including its online component, a tool for money laundering. Estimates indicate that approximately 16-18 billion euros, equivalent to 20-22% of total online bets, are linked to criminal operations. The most affected areas include Southern regions such as Calabria, Puglia, Sicily, and Campania, but some Northern areas also show concerning overlaps. The growth of online gambling in small towns poses significant challenges for lawmakers and local authorities. While a total ban on gambling is unrealistic, it is essential to adopt measures to contain the phenomenon. These could include increased monitoring of financial flows, stricter regulation of advertising – recently returning to soccer team jerseys – and awareness campaigns on the risks of gambling addiction.

Another necessary step concerns transparency on gambling-related data, currently limited by regulations introduced in 2019. These restrictions hinder a complete understanding of the phenomenon and obstruct prevention and intervention strategies. Despite the fiscal revenues generated by the gambling sector, the social cost associated with addiction, money laundering, and the mental health effects on communities is becoming increasingly evident. In 2023, the gross gambling volume recorded a 10.2% increase compared to 2022, with a notable growth in online gambling compared to physical gambling. This trend is particularly relevant among young people, where the accessibility and anonymity of remote gambling exacerbate the problem.