“In 2018 I had already closed all the slot halls in my municipality that were within 500 meters of sensitive places such as schools, libraries and senior centers. But I was unable to do anything to remove individual slot machines inside other commercial establishments such as bars, tobacconists and newsstands, even if they were right next to schools. This is because the State forced us to wait for the rental contracts with the slot machine manufacturers to expire, preventing me from acting in the interests of the most vulnerable. I didn't give up and started making contributions for commercial activities that disposed of slot machines, to support healthy and responsible trade. It didn't help: there are still many. The Meloni Government, despite the devastating data on post-covid gambling addiction, has granted extension after extension, continuing to make the State collect billions of euros on the backs of those suffering from gambling addiction and their families, without even starting studies to find alternatives to the revenues deriving from the legal gambling. As mayor I can no longer tolerate seeing people evicted, who are unable to go shopping because they are risking their pension or salary. I can't bear the thought that they turn to loan sharks to continue playing. We take care of these people economically and morally while the State collects. Thats enough! I signed aorder: slot machines in shops within 500 meters of sensitive places will be able to turn on for only one hour a day, from 11 to 30. The slot machine lords are likely to challenge my order. It will be a very tough battle, but they are the ones worth fighting." Thus the mayor of San Lazzaro di Savena (BO), Isabella Conti, regarding the controversial order issued on Wednesday.
“In 2018 I managed to close the slot machines because for the first time there was a national and then regional stance. The contracts from 2018 expired in 2021, the extension was given by Meloni in 2022. Having said this, I think that Meloni, who has always referred from a political and cultural profile to the social right - that is, the one that should put social issues before economic ones financial institutions - has betrayed his electorate by extending the slot rental contracts in his 2022 and 2023 budget, because he collects 11 billion every year. Now I understand that it is not easy to find other resources that can cover that amount, but at least a shred of study to understand how the state budget can survive even without gambling revenues should have done so. If I had been one of his voters I would have felt betrayed. On this and many other topics”, concluded Conti.
