Games, betting and lotteries: gambling Italians (2000)

Italians are gambling more and more. The underlying reason is a lack of confidence in society. In our Country there is a lack of gaming culture, which in our opinion implies a greater awareness of the risks inherent in the practice of gaming. The immature practice of Italians towards gaming is certainly the most delicate point of the issue. The discourse explores the notion of “addiction”, exploring its many aspects, and in particular the symmetrical obstacles of condemnation (gambling as an authentic choice) and discharging (gambling as a disease). These remarks are deepened in the first chapter, elaborating on them in the light of the dichotomy of Chance and Ability, in which the study of Videopoker as a social phenomenon fits in well. In the second chapter, the data obtained through the field research, which represented an important moment in the realisation of this study, are analysed. The questionnaire was administered to a sample of 1,000 Italian citizens, representative of the national reality. An extremely varied portrait of the player emerged, or rather a wide range of portraits. It was possible to get a detailed picture of the Italians’ attitude towards gambling. This is why, given the complexity of the subject, it was considered opportune to divide the following chapter, inherent to the in-depth examination of legal games in Italy, into specific fact sheets. In the fourth chapter, the most controversial issues related to Videopoker were examined in depth. In particular, the legislative analysis has highlighted the major inconsistencies in the current legislation on the issue.