(Jamma) In Canton Ticino, 87 million are spent on lotteries a year, much more than in the rest of Switzerland. A good 260 francs a year is how much, on average, every Ticino citizen spends Lotto, Euromillions, Sport Toto and various lotteries. A higher figure than the national one, stopped at 195 francs per person.
The difference can be explained on the one hand by a greater propensity to gamble on the part of the Ticino people, on the other by the influx of cross-border commuters, who often and willingly try the chance here too. To delve into the subject, Giorgio Stanga, head of the cantonal office that deals with lotteries and bets. Stanga explains how the Canton, out of the 87 million played annually by its citizens, sees 20 million return. Twenty million which are divided between four funds, the Swisslos Fund (which serves to finance or subsidize charitable or general interest works), the Fund Sport toto (intended for the promotion of sport), the Film Plus Fund of Italian-speaking Switzerland (aimed at promoting independent film production) and the Gioco Patologico Fund (intended for projects in the field of gambling addiction).
An amount, that of 20 million, which last year recorded a slight decrease but which has shown constant growth over the years. Twenty years ago, in fact, the funds in question could count on around 12 million francs a year.
Because that of lotteries is a sector in great turmoil, where new trends are constantly being born. After the boom of the Euromillions, according to Stanga we are now witnessing the phenomenon of scratch cards. On the other hand, sports betting has almost disappeared, above all due to competition from international operators offering online betting. He bets which, however, Stanga recalls, are not allowed in Switzerland. In our country all bets, including those on the net, must be subject to a licence. To clarify this area, a new federal law is being prepared: it should enter into force in 2018.
