(Jamma) The vice president of the Florence City Council Salvatore Scino (Pd) intervened to analyze and deepen the new regulatory text on gambling addiction containing "Provisions for conscious gambling and for the prevention of gambling addiction" which was approved by the Tuscan Regional Council - with 38 votes in favor (out of 39 voters) and one against.
“Welcome!, like all the initiatives aimed at containing this now sad phenomenon. Vice-President Scino declares who continues "The deepening of the approved text, in my opinion, highlights some clear strengths: the establishment of a regional Observatory on gambling addiction (art. 3), as a permanent advisory body of the Regional Council , whose meetings provide for the participation of members designated "free of charge";
a ban on the opening of gaming halls and spaces that are located within a half-kilometre radius of schools of any level, places of worship, social gathering centres, youth centers or other cultural, recreational and sports facilities frequented mainly by young people , or by residential or semi-residential structures operating in the health or social care sector (art. 4), prohibitions which, however, do not apply to gaming halls and gaming spaces in operation when the law enters into force until the expiry of the related qualification (art. 16);
the prohibition of advertising and promotion (art. 5) and the opposing information and awareness campaigns (art. 8);
incentives for the removal of legal gaming machines (art. 10), as well as sanctions for those who do not observe the prohibitions (art. 14), which also provide for the closure of gaming machines”.
“However – he continues -, like any regulatory provision, this one too can certainly be perfected; let's see how.
The text, as it stands - but we still have to wait for the implementation regulation - does not specify what will happen at the time of renewal of the concession; in fact, if the restrictions set forth in art. 4, i.e. the prohibition of 500 meters beyond which it is possible to activate mechanisms for the game, in Tuscany there would soon be no more places to play; which would of course be desirable, but is it possible? I do not believe! Otherwise, the status quo would remain for who knows how long.
Furthermore, this regional law does not solve the problem of online gaming: anyone from home or from anywhere with a common tablet or smartphone has the opportunity to play 24 hours a day.
Finally, the "hardened" players, who - I remember - are weak people, would always find a place to play. Therefore, the problem would be resolved only with the total abolition of cash from games. This is why I have proposed on several occasions the adoption of smart-cards, for the control and traceability of money flows (let's not forget that organized crime is the main manager of gaming halls!) during operations connected to any type of game.
However, I am (moderately) satisfied with the initiative of our region, probably could not do much more. But let's not let our guard down, we still have to put pressure on the Government and on all the parliamentarians who really care about the problem (also involving ANCI), so that this phenomenon is completely eradicated, or at least significantly reduced: the means for do it there are”.
"Once again, I defer to the sensitivity of the members of this Council - declares the vice president in conclusion - for the acceptance of every initiative aimed at the definitive resolution of the drama of gambling addiction and the fight against organized crime in the gambling sector, through a clear and effective rule which, I strongly reiterate, eliminates the use of cash from gambling”.
