Around the world, problem gambling rates have risen significantly, especially in European gambling markets like Italy. According to Milan’s Chamber of Commerce, problem gambling rates are at an all-time high in Italy, and it seems that the global recession is partially to blame. According to the report, there has been a 32.1% increase in the number of businesses now offering gambling services to residents.

There are 91.2% more electronic gambling machines in country, and the number of pokies has nearly doubled over the course of the past year. The Center for Economic and International Studies (CEIS) has found that gambling is the third largest industry in the country, earning upwards of €45 billion per year. The increase in gambling outlets is a direct response to the increased demand from players.

More residents across the country want to wager on casino games and pokies, and casinos, pubs and other gaming venues have no choice but to offer more games. CEIS has also found that the individuals who demand the most gambling services are the unemployed and poverty-stricken. 47% of the country’s individuals that live under the poverty line and 66% of unemployed individuals are known to gamble.

While some are chasing a big payday from a lottery or slots jackpot, others use gambling as a form of escapism. Regardless of their reasons for gambling, the activity is more harmful for low-income individuals because they are more inclined to chase losses. As a result, problem gambling rates are on the rise in Italy.

According to recent reports, there has been a significant increase in the number of individuals that are searching for professional help for their gambling addictions. From 2005 to 2010, there was a 691% jump in the number of problem gamblers who sought out counselling. We can expect that there were plenty more who did not seek out assistance.

About the Author

George Anderson
Author George, has over 25+ years’ experience in the Pokies and Casinos industry throughout Australia and New Zealand. Loves to research new Pokies games on the block and follows announcements from top industry providers about their upcoming releases. As soon as a new interesting pokie game appears on his radar, George is there to check it out and give you the scoop before anyone else and tell you about all casino sites where can play the latest game. Before this gig, George worked as Pokie game tester, making him an ideal candidate for this genre of work. He is also an animal lover and a proud owner of three dogs.