The Abruzzo Government has approved a new plan to combat gambling addiction, developed with support from Italy’s National Research Council (CNR).
The initiative follows a proposal by Health Councillor Nicoletta Verì and an executive project prepared by the CNR.
The activities outlined under the new Regional Gambling Plan continue previous regional programmes for the prevention, treatment and rehabilitation of gambling disorder.
Their overall objective is to further develop and strengthen a coordinated and integrated regional system for tackling gambling-related harm.
Within this framework, the CNR will focus on a series of actions. These include surveys on youth gambling habits, analyses of the demand for and availability of treatment across the region and training programmes for officials working with gambling-related issues.
Verì stated: “As a Region, we are committed, to activating the necessary initiatives across Abruzzo in collaboration with all stakeholders involved in the prevention and fight against the spread of gambling related harm.”
The plan reflects a continued shift towards data-led prevention strategies, with a stronger emphasis on monitoring behaviour patterns, improving access to treatment and coordinating responses across public health and research bodies.
Meanwhile, at national level, calls are growing for tougher rules on gambling communications beyond the Dignity Decree.
In a joint submission to the communications authority AGCOM, several Italian consumer and scientific organisations have argued that prevention messaging must avoid normalising gambling or making it more socially acceptable.
The groups argue that “responsible gambling” messaging risks acting as indirect promotion and should not be used in ways that blur prevention with advertising.
The submission also warns that marketing style features in informational campaigns such as bonuses, countdowns and gamified design can reinforce gambling behaviour and should face stricter restrictions.
Italian Democratic Party deputies Stefano Vaccari and Virginio Merola have backed a Lega Party proposal to extend the country’s ban on gambling communications, a rare instance of Italian cross-party alignment
