Addressing the National Association of Italian Local Authorities, the Pope has expressed strong criticism of the gambling sector, highlighting the negative impact of gambling on families and citing a significant increase in gambling activities in recent years.
Pope Leo XIV addressed Mayors from across Italy during their traditional Vatican meeting, focusing on societal issues, including the surge in gambling. He noted the negative consequences of gambling, saying: “Unfortunately, our cities know forms of marginality, violence and loneliness that require to be faced. I would like to point out in particular the plague of gambling that ruins so many families.”
A report by Caritas Italia, referenced by the Pope, showed that Italy’s gambling sector has experienced considerable growth. Total GGR reached €157bn in 2024, a 349% increase on the €35bn in 2006.
Despite the rising revenues, tax collected grew from €6bn to just €11bn over the same period, an 83% rise, significantly lower than the jump in gambling revenue.
Caritas identified that money lost to gambling in 2024 amounted to €20bn, with 10 regions surpassing the national average for losses. Five of these regions, including Sicily and Sardinia, are economically challenged, heightening the risk of poverty.
Caritas concluded: “Gambling costs those who have less: not only because they lose more euros, but because those euros are worth more in the family budget.”
Italy ranks as the second-largest gambling market in Europe, after the UK. The country enforces strict player protection measures, including mandatory play times and spending limits. The regulatory body, ADM, imposes severe penalties on operators violating the stringent gambling advertising bans.
And recently, Italy’s regulatory framework underwent updates, requiring operators to pay €7m for a license, significantly higher than the previous €200,000, marking a new era for the online gambling market.
