(Jamma) Protest by the regional president of ACLI Emilia-Romagna, Walter Raspa, on the government's provision regarding gambling addiction and "gambling". "The ACLI had adhered with conviction to the national campaign "Let's get involved" and all the bars, the circles and offices of the ACLI associations in Emilia Romagna have been invited to remove the "slot machines" also with incentives on membership and with aid - says Walter Raspa -. They did so not with words as politicians and mayors often do only when they announce, but with real deeds, and today they are disappointed by the government's provision, which on the one hand stigmatizes gambling and speaks of real addiction, from 'other increases the arcades.'
“The data speak of an expenditure of Italians for gambling which has further risen from 15,5 billion euros in 2003 to 79,8 in 2011 with an increase of 52% per year and a total turnover that is worth 5% of GDP. – reads the note from Raspa – Today the State is going in the opposite direction compared to what it declared earlier, inserting in the provision in the new Stability Law a provision which, instead of combating the phenomenon of gambling, surprisingly delivers 30 new concessions for Bingo halls and 7.000 new video lottery concessions with the aim of collecting 145 million euros.”
"In recent months the ACLI have made a strong commitment to the prevention of gambling and have signed a memorandum of understanding - of regulation - with the other recognized associations of the Emilia Romagna Region in which they undertake to prevent the serious social consequences that gambling causes to fall on Italian families. The ACLI appeal to politicians to stop making illusory announcements and invite them to do the common good of our society” concludes the regional president Walter Raspa.
