(Jamma) The application of the municipal regulation of Genoa which redesigns the methods of commerce of legalized gambling products, limiting the offer no later than 19 pm for gaming machines, is having a significant negative impact on the city employment fabric. In the coming days, in fact, the operators will apply significant cuts to their workforce, effectively eliminating over 30 jobs.
The position of Confindustria – Sistema Gioco Italia in this regard is clear. "We share the aim of the municipal regulation - explains the vice president Italo Marcotti in a note - since as an association we have always fought against the excesses of gaming and for compliance with the law, starting with the ban on gaming for minors, but the tool used is in this case utterly unfit for purpose and detrimental to employment. I reiterate that we have always been at the forefront of combating underage gambling and protecting vulnerable subjects, so much so that we immediately asked to set up a joint working table, also because no one knows the real problems better than sector operators. If the Municipality had coordinated its initiatives with us, a useful result could have been achieved for the contrast of the phenomena that it is intended to combat, in the interest of both the citizens and the operators. In fact, however, today a weak subject is still free to gamble in the legal and illegal centers present in the municipal area. As far as minors are concerned, we want to hope that by 19 pm they are usually already in their homes with their respective families. In the light of this, the new restrictive rules seem to have been dictated by a purely demagogic drive that fueled the initiative”.
“At this point we are awaiting the outcome of the administrative dispute – continues Marcotti – but unfortunately the fallout on employment will be inevitable. We have already contacted some trade unions, the most representative, to define the release of our collaborators. The motivation will be clearly written, ie the Genoese employed at our companies will be fired due to the application of the new municipal regulation resulting from political choices, in our opinion wrong, of the current administration. To this must be added, which is singular, that vulnerable individuals and minors can still continue to gamble in irregular and illegal gambling centers as well as in neighboring municipalities. The thousands of Genoese players who daily lived an entertainment experience in a correct and responsible way will also pay the price". Lastly, Confindustria – Sistema Gioco Italia renews its appeal to the Municipality of Genoa to collaborate. "However, we remain available to put our knowledge and skills at the service of the administration - concludes Italo Marcotti - to combat all forms of pathological and underage gambling".
