Varese – They enter new time restrictions in force in the city per gaming halls and betting shops as well as for the operation of machines with cash prizes. Objective, to prevent and combat gambling addiction. “A phenomenon that has negative impacts on a social, economic and health level of the population – explains the Mayor David Galimberti – An activity implemented thanks to the joint work of the Administration through Social Services and the Local Police with ATS, Guardia di Finanza and social partners with whom various projects have been activated”.
The managers Betting shops and businesses that have machines with cash winnings and slot machines or sell instant lotteries will have to limit their opening hours from 9am to 12pm and from 6pm to 11pm every day, including holidays. The same limitations are also applied to individual devices found in commercial establishments such as bars and the like. To better understand the dimensions of the phenomenon, just look at the data relating to the city of Varese referring to 2019. In one year, a total of 127 million games were played, of which 40 on video terminals and 33 on slots. Alongside the Municipality is the Financial Police, which strengthened controls in the first half of 2024.
«This increase in activity – underlines the provincial commanderand Crescenzo Sciaraffa – resulted in 73 targeted and in-depth investigations, with particular attention to the premises and gaming rooms where slot machines are located, finding 53 violations of the ordinances regarding the operating hours of the machines, with fines of 60 thousand euros”. The measure was also born thanks to the collaboration with the “Link Insubria” project, which the Varese Social District Area adheres to, under the direction of Ats Insubria. “Pathological gambling involves large sections of the population in many areas of our territory and each individual intervention represents a significant step towards tackling this addiction”, comments the director general of Ats Salvatore Gioia.
