According to recent statistics, the region stands out for one of the highest per capita spending on gaming in Italy, numbers that reflect the growing interest of its inhabitants in online poker and other forms of digital entertainment. A trend that has contributed to the emergence of some of the strongest poker players in the country, pure talents who have achieved significant successes both nationally and internationally.
According to the Blue Book of the Customs and Monopolies Agency, in 2019 Abruzzo recorded a per capita expenditure for gaming of 2,213 euros, one of the highest in Italy. Analyzing more closely the spending on gaming in the various provinces of Abruzzo, Teramo is in second position, and Pescara seventh, followed by L’Aquila in eighteenth place, while the Abruzzo ranking closes with Chieti. These data highlight a strong interest in gaming throughout the region, albeit with significant differences between the different provinces.
In recent years, digitalisation has revolutionized the world of gaming, facilitating the rise of apps and online platforms that have made gaming accessible to a global audience. The convenience of being able to play from anywhere at any time has attracted a growing number of enthusiasts, turning these forms of entertainment into an international phenomenon. Platforms like PokerStars have led this transformation, offering virtual tournaments, cash games and a variety of gaming formats that replicate the brick-and-mortar casino experience. These platforms also guarantee security and privacy protection, essential factors that have contributed to their diffusion and the growth of the online gaming community. Digitalisation has thus democratized access to disciplines such as sports poker, creating new opportunities to emerge and compete at a professional level and has allowed many Italians to become famous on the international circuit. Abruzzo, in particular, has seen the emergence of several prominent talents.
Among these Gianluca Speranza, born in 1988 in L’Aquila, stands out as one of the most successful Italian players ever. With a total prize pool approaching three million dollars, Speranza began his career at a very young age, playing on online platforms under the nickname “bloodmoney”. He has gained recognition for his multitable (MTT) skills, which have led him to compete and win in some of the most prestigious tournaments in the world. In 2019, Speranza triumphed at the European Poker Tour in Prague, grossing 135 thousand dollars and in 2020 he achieved a fifth place at the World Poker Tour Main Event, adding over 70 thousand dollars to his haul.
Another prominent name is that of Alessio Sardone, originally from Pescara, who achieved fame in 2016, when during an extraordinary Sit&Go session he won 500 thousand euros in just a few hands. Known in the world of online poker as “Papriziopesh”, Sardone is no stranger to feats of this caliber: in 2012 he obtained a second place in the “Sunday Million” Sunday tournament, winning over 172 thousand euros. His rise in the national poker scene has been rapid and impressive, cementing his reputation as one of Italy’s best players.
Eros Zappacosta, known online as “Kidpe”, is another talent from Abruzzo who has made headlines. His passion for poker took him to Spain, where he refined his techniques, continuing his climb to the top of international poker.
Although absent from the professional circuit for some time, another notable figure is that of Gianluca “rulletto” or “Rullman810”, originally from the town of Lanciano. Rullo has achieved a leading role in the national and international poker scene, with a nineteenth place at the World Series of Poker (WSOP) in Las Vegas, the most prestigious professional poker event in the world. Furthermore he obtained a third place at the Side Event of the WPT Venice Poker Festival, a sixth place at the Main Event of the PokerClub Live Series and a fifth place at the Italian Series of Poker (ISOP) in Saint-Vincent.
Fabio Sturba and Gianluca Bernardini, alias “Pokerbern”, both from Teramo, are two other players who have stood out for their aggressive and spectacular playing style, contributing to Abruzzo’s reputation as a hotbed of poker talent.
