“In the Name of Legality” Event Stops in Salerno, Focuses on Combating Illegal Gambling
The “In the Name of Legality” event, promoted by Codere Italia and sponsored by the Campania Region, the Municipality of Salerno, and Asl Salerno, made its latest stop today, May 14th, at the Salone dei Marmi in Palazzo di Città. The event, moderated by journalist Riccardo Pedrizzi, centered on the role of legal gambling in combating illegal gambling and preventing Gambling Disorder (DGA), commonly known as gambling addiction.
Gambling Landscape in Campania
Campania is the second region in Italy for the number of businesses dedicated to gambling, with 615 specialized halls and over 3,000 general establishments, according to data from Unioncamere and InfoCamere. It also leads in recharge points (PVR). Aniello Baselice, president of the Regional Observatory on DGA, described this as an “alarming scenario” and emphasized the need for an intersectoral approach involving institutions, healthcare, law enforcement, and schools.
Ludopathy on the Rise in Salerno
In the province of Salerno, there has been a 3.6% increase in users affected by gambling addiction in 2024, according to the Department of Addictions of Asl Salerno. Antonietta Grandinetti, director of the department, stated that the goal is to “intercept the discomfort early and guarantee access to care.”
Guardia di Finanza Highlights Risks
The Guardia di Finanza, represented by Major Marco Garofalo, highlighted the risks associated with organized crime, money laundering, and illegal online gambling, which require a multidisciplinary approach and thorough monitoring of the territory, including the digital realm.
ADM Data Shows Growth in Online Gambling
Significant data from ADM – Agenzia Dogane e Monopoli (Customs and Monopolies Agency) shows a growth in gambling revenue in Campania and Salerno in 2024, with an increase in the online channel:
- Salerno 2024: 2,562.8 million euros collected remotely (+280 million compared to 2023).
- Physical Channel: 1,478.1 million (+25 million).
Elisabetta Poso, director of the Entertainment Equipment Office at ADM, explained that “certain rules and a responsible offer are essential to protect players, combat tax evasion, and prevent abuse.” She added that it is necessary to train operators and invest in management transparency.
Calls for Sector Reform
Pier Paolo Baretta, municipal councilor and former Undersecretary of the Ministry of Economy and Finance with responsibility for gaming, intervened via video, stating that “legal gambling must be defended as a bulwark against illegality. It is necessary to distinguish between the right to play and its pathological drift.”
Domenico Faggiani, of the Osservatorio G.A.P. Lazio, echoed this sentiment, urging the urgent adoption of a single national code for public gaming: “The discussion between the Government, Regions, and Municipalities must lead to a clear and shared structure.”
Codere Italia’s Commitment
In closing, Marco Zega, Director of Institutional Affairs at Codere Italia, reiterated the message: “Legality, dialogue, and sustainability are the keys to a sector that creates employment and economic impact. With ‘In the Name of Legality,’ we want to continue building this path together with the actors of the territory.”
Digital Press Kit for Sustainability
For the first time, the event adopted a digital press kit, accessible via QR Code, in the name of greater sustainability.
The Salerno stop will be followed by new appointments in other Italian cities where Codere is active with its Gaming Halls.
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