No link between problem gambling and advertising, AAMS study finds

A problem gambling survey commissioned by Italian regulator Agenzia delle Dogane e dei Monopoli (AAMS) has claimed that 80.7% of gamblers are not motivated to gamble by advertising.

The figures prompted a fresh wave of criticism of the looming ad ban in Italy from local trade association Logico.

“The study shows the measures introduced by the Decree Dignity are not effective in fighting problem gambling if less than 1/5 players were driven to gamble by advertising,” said LOGiCO president Moreno Marasco.

“Advertising has a limited weight in consumer choice. It is the same data that shows that limiting the offer of gambling or cancelling advertising does not have a significant effect in reducing problem gambling.”

Marasco said an ad ban only blurred the lines between licensed and unlicensed operators.

The survey, which was carried out by Italian health agency Istituto Superiore della Sanità, (ISS) was the largest gambling study in Italy, and the first epidemiological survey of its kind, surveying several groups at all levels of Italian society.

It found that 18.4 million Italians, or 36.4% of the population, had gambled at least once during the past 12 months, making Italy the fifth largest nation of gamblers in Europe.

Of these, 13 million Italians were characterised as social gamblers and not at risk of developing gambling addiction, while two million are classified as ‘low risk’ of developing a gambling problem.

1.5 million individuals responding could be classified as problem gamblers, however only 13,000 of these would be considered compulsive and in need of professional help.

Roberto Fanelli, director of Games at the ADM, said: “The evidence that emerged confirms that our actions to counteract problem gambling are already headed in the right direction.

“But we are only at the beginning and are already working on other measures to make gaming products safer.