(Jamma) What can municipalities do to limit the opening of slot and video lottery rooms? In theory almost nothing. Studying in depth the folds of administrative law, the Municipality of Bergamo in 2012 first approved a regulation in which new openings were prevented less than four hundred meters from schools, hospitals and other sensitive places. Now the junta is preparing a new move: to declare the presence of amusement arcades in the central areas is incompatible from an urban point of view. The idea, a real egg of Columbus, came to the Councilor for Productive Activities Enrica Foppa Pedretti. «There was a need to put a few stakes and I had this intuition, then our technical offices were good at studying the practical solution». In short, the junta has asked to insert a change in the rules plan (the one that implements the Territorial Government Plan), by virtue of which it will no longer be possible to open amusement arcades in the historic center and in the villages, much less in High City. The provision is being evaluated in the planning commission, then it will go to the Council. And, barring twists and turns, it will be approved.
Gambling will also have a hard time in the "consolidated city", ie in the suburbs: it will be considered an activity that generates a high urban "load", ie a heavy impact on the viability and livability of the neighbourhood. As a result, arcades will only be able to open if there is an adequate number of parking spaces. A similar solution has already been adopted by the Municipality of Cernusco sul Naviglio. According to the Bergamo council, it will be difficult to win any appeal to the TAR. «The competence in urban planning belongs to the Municipality» explains councilor Foppa Pedretti, who adds: «Some stakes have to be put in place. We see families on the streets and young slaves of these machines that I call infernal». Bergamo is not Las Vegas, but the danger level has nevertheless been exceeded. «In 2012, the number of arcades increased by 20% – continues Foppa Pedretti – this year four more have already been inaugurated. We got to twenty-two just in the city, far too many. Gambling shouldn't be demonized, but this exaggerated offer has a nefarious influence on the increase in gambling addiction». Bergamo also leads its battle with appeals: «We have signed both the manifesto of the Italian mayors and that of the Bergamo mayors. We have also joined the campaign to collect signatures to support the popular law proposal which intends to protect health through the reorganization of gambling matters. Because let's remember that the Municipality is responsible for the health of its citizens and as such it has a duty to act. The commissioner believes he interprets the popular sentiment correctly: «In every neighborhood where a new cinema was to open, a spontaneous protest arose: everywhere residents' committees were formed to say no to slots. What is rather striking is the absence of the State, which does not seem to realize the seriousness of the problem».
In a recent conference on the subject organized by the Orobic Cisl, Don Virginio Colmegna pointed the finger at the "major interests" that pull the strings of gambling, including organized crime. «We are aware of this - underlines Foppa Pedretti - The multinationals of the sector consider the Italian province as a land of conquest, to be squeezed as much as possible. As for the rest, we trust those who manage public safety. We certainly do not allow ourselves to be intimidated and we continue on our way ».
