Italy’s Gambling Explosion Causes Fears of Societal Breakdown

Italy’s gambling scene has exploded over the past ten years, turning it into the fourth largest gambling market in the world, however there are many who fear it will bring about the country’s social breakdown.

Italy might be a country praised for its art, cuisine and culture, but Italy has also been making waves in gambling news. As gambling becomes one of the country’s most popular past times, others are concerned for the country’s future.

The town of Pavia near Milan is known for its Renaissance monastery and vibrant student life, but it’s also rapidly gained the title as being the gambling capital of Italy.

Pavia is now packed with video lottery terminals, slot machines and many venues with easy access to gambling. In fact, there is one gambling machine per 100 residents.

Italians fear societal breakdown as gambling becomes one of the country’s most popular pastimes

Ever since Italian gambling laws changed ten years ago, when a massive deregulation of the gambling industry took place, Italy has turned into Europe’s largest gambling market.

Residents of Pavia are concerned about the effects gambling is having on the community. Many say there is an increase in chronic gambling, which results in societal problems, domestic violence, bankruptcies and broken families.

“There’s no longer a distinction between gambling and life,” comments sociologist Maurizio Fiasco, “There is no separate space for gambling – it is everywhere.”

Many Italians are now saying enough is enough, and local governments are working to reduce the machines’ availabilities.