ReportsITALY
In 2006 the Comma 6a machine law was introduced and this marked the beginning of a new era for the Italian gaming industry both in terms of real gaming and remote gaming.
The comma 6a games are not only modern with a higher pay structure but are also server controlled and can be switched off automatically if the operator does not pay taxes on a regular basis.
SOGEI’s remote gambling solution is supported by a central services unit which controls each step of the game in real time. The new updated Comma 6a protocol provided a way of tightening up the communications environment via smartcard technology. The requirement is for the game software to work only if it is able to communicate with the smartcard and the communications network, and therefore introduce a higher level of security.
Previously reports of operators disconnecting their machines from the network enabled them to manipulate their incomes. The new protocol and technology means that the communication between the smartcard and the machine connection must be certified as a unit for the game to work.
In terms of real gaming this meant that the 6a machines were to replace the Comma 6 machines over a period of three years with licences expiring on 15 December 2009.
In a concentrated bid towipe out the
estimated 800,000 video poker games once and for all the
governmentwent so far as to ban any images of poker
gameswithin AWP or other games.
Comma 6a machines were to be distributed by March 2008 and it was reported that in 2008 some 175,000 Comma 6a machines were placed in the market to replace comma 6. It is still thought that 40 per cent of machines on the market are still Comma 6 and many fear the deadline for changeover will not be met.
The Comma 6a regulations include:
• A maximum stake of €1 and maximum payout of €100
• Game duration not less than four seconds
• A 75 per cent minimum payout of not more than 140,000 game cycle.
• Games can be operated in bars, cafes, restaurants, arcades, hotels, private clubs etc
• Tax rate is set at 12.6 per cent (PREU)
• All machines must be connected to a central network management system.
These machines are an attraction piece for gaming arcades, but are often only found in the large upscale arcades which
Under the Comma 6a law, multiplayers are now also entering the Italian market with most major manufacturers now developing machines for this market.
They have to be especially adapted for the Comma 6a law and there is some scepticism as to how operators can afford such luxurious and expensive pieces in their arcades when the payouts are the same as an AWP.
As the 75 per cent minimum payout cannot be guaranteed in the mechanical feature of a multiplayer roulette for example, a pre-game is played to enter the game which then credits the player with chips for the main roulette game.
are currently opening in the major cities.
Meanwhile despite the economic climate the Italian gaming market seems to be growing and the first half of 2009 saw a 10.6 per cent increase on takings compared to the same period in 2008.
The Italians spent a total of €47.5bn in 2008 on AWPs, betting and lotteries which made it the third largest domestic economic sector and a 12 per cent increase on 2008 figures.
This is compared to just €15bn back in 2003 whilst it is thought the end of 2009 could see takings soar to €52bn.
The AWPs are still taking the lions share (€22bn) and NewSlots have collected some €12.4bn for the first half of 2009 alone – an increase of 16.2 per cent on
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