(Jamma) The City Council of Venice has unanimously approved the motion requesting adherence to the "Manifesto of Mayors for the legality of gambling".
THIS IS THE TEXT OF THE MOTION:
given that
the gambling industry is among the few not to suffer the effects of the economic crisis, with a turnover of 100 billion a year, equal to about 4% of the Gross Domestic Product;
spending on gambling constitutes an impressive 12% of Italian household spending;
there are 15 million habitual gamblers, 3 million those at risk of pathology and around 800.000 those who are already pathological;
the costs for treating pathological cases are estimated to be between 5 and 6 billion euros a year.
whereas
petty crime of theft, muggings and usury, as well as organized crime, often take place around gambling venues;
lawful gambling is a matter of state competence and the Mayors, at present, have no regulatory or inspection power;
expected that
the art. 7 of the Decree-Law of 13 September 2012, n. 158, converted with amendments by Law 8 November 2012, n. 189 (so-called "Balduzzi Decree") introduced new rules on gambling addiction but did not, unlike what was initially envisaged, set up national legislative limitations on the presence of gaming machines and/or the opening of new arcades in sensitive areas
All of this having been said and considered,
the City Council invites the Mayor to adhere to the "Manifesto of Mayors for the legality against gambling",
to ask:
1) a new national law that aims to reduce the offer of gambling, promote the prevention and treatment of gambling addiction, as well as establish exemplary sanctions for all crimes committed in this area;
2) a regional law which explains the duties of the Region with respect to local authorities in the field of gambling addiction and its prevention and treatment;
3) the power of order of the Mayor for the definition of the opening hours of the game rooms and the minimum distances allowed from sensitive places;
4) Convene a special commission session on the topic;
Lastly, the City Council requests an immediate and concrete commitment on the part of the municipal administration to exercise every possible activity to combat gambling through the tools in its possession, in particular through targeted operations by the Municipal Police.
