Euroslot_Jan09_p18_19 23/12/08 13:23 Page 18
INTERNATIONAL NEWS - ITALY www.euroslot-online.com
Record takings from betting FIPE is opposed to poker
in November
tournaments in bars
B
etting continues to grow: we have had a new record in November, with
takings of over Euro.069477 million, against the previous record of Euro.069421 million set I
t is the Government’s responsibility to coordinate regulations pertaining to
lawful gaming, but in the meantime FIPE (Federazione Italiana Pubblici Esercizi
in March. Takings in November 2007 were ?272 million lower than today. The – Italian Federation of Commercial Concerns) alerts its members to the risks
on-line sport betting market is growing, with takings of Euro.069135 million in deriving from “poker sportivo” tournaments. The association of owners of
November. This is equivalent to 28% of the Euro.069477 million in total, an increase of commercial concerns has invited its members through its bulletin no. 90, dated 4
75%. Good news as well for the operators, because Italians bet a lot, but, at least December, not to allow the organisation of tournaments within their premises.
in the last 30 days, have won very little: the winnings percentage as a pay-out This step has been taken following the ruling no. 3237 of 22 October, by the
has been equal to 72.5%, lower than the average of the past few months. Consiglio di stato (the main legal, administrative and judiciary body in Italy) on the
Takings since the beginning of the year have exceeded Euro.0693.5 billion. draft proposal that the Ministry of the Interior intends to issue to its peripheral
offices. Spreading like wildfire but not authorised by all Police forces, “poker
sportivo” has prompted the Ministry of the Interior to intervene as requested by
The Upper House approves
its peripheral offices.
‘Lawful game’
the amendment deleting
Two years ago online poker was declared lawful: this prompted tournament
promoters to think that «live» poker could be deemed to be lawful as well.
3,000 new betting outlets:
Therefore today the matter to be set straight according to the Ministry of the
Interior is whether the game ‘Texas Hold'em’ (the most popular poker version
among poker fans thanks also to popular TV programs) should be classified as a
‘Our great victory’
game of chance or as a lawful game, in order to verify whether such games
should be subject to restrictions and to what extent. To get to the heart of the
matter, the ruling given by the Consiglio di stato on 22 October sets out some
"
O
nce again a great achievement for the Sindacato Totoricevitori Sportivi (the guidance, to be translated into clear directives by the Ministry of the Interior.
Italian Association of football pools offices), a member of the Italian What is certain is that little weight shall be given to rewards and stakes: in other
Federation of Tobacconists", says a press release from STSFIT "A few minutes words, games are for the pleasure of playing, not for the pleasure of winning. In
ago, the Senate Budget Commission approved an amendment adopting the the meantime FIPE have thought it necessary to let its members know that,
proposals made by the Sindacato Totoricevitori Sportivi regarding 3,000 betting beyond the penal aspects deriving from the aggravating circumstances of games
outlets as set out in the recent Law 184/2008. of chance held in a commercial concern, such forbidden games lead to the loss of
The amendment, tabled before the Government by the proposer of the Bill, trust in the owner of the business and in consequence to the withdrawal of the
sets out that these concessions will be exclusively for horse betting, complying in licence, with the risk of seizure of the premises by the judiciary. On the other
this way with the harsh criticism raised by STS against creating betting outlets hand, the same Association of owners of commercial concerns states that the
with dual concessions (sport and horse betting). observance of the forthcoming directive from the Ministry of the Interior, whose
This is an extremely important result for the STS in defence of the interests of application is compulsory exclusively for the members of the issuing body, i.e. the
horse and sport betting. Police, does not safeguard anybody from the rulings of the judiciary, not at all
The Sindacato Totoricevitori Sportivi will continue to monitor proceedings in bound to follow the directives of the Ministry of the Interior.
Parliament, to ensure that this provision, as a part of the Finance Bill, will not be
altered until the approval of the main Bill by Parliament”.
18
JANUARY 2009
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