Responsible Gambling in Italy – Guide for Italian Players
The line between playing for fun and developing a gambling addiction is thin. For that reason, the iGaming industry joins forces to protect Italian players from potential harm. For a satisfying gaming session, you need to control the time and money you gamble. Here, we have collected crucial information about responsible gambling in Italy. We will share insights from safe gambling organisations and guide you through establishing safer habits.
What is Considered Responsible Online Gambling in Italy?
In Italy, the online gaming market is well-developed and regulated. The local Agency of Customs and Monopolies (ADM) licenses casino and betting operators. Following the latest regulations, all gaming sites and apps must comply with responsible gambling in Italy.
That includes applying diverse practices and taking social initiatives to establish a safe environment for all players. Operators must prevent people that are not allowed to gamble from accessing their platforms. That includes minors and gamblers that struggle with addiction.
Gambling harm prevention involves providing tools such as self-exclusion programmes and time management alarms. In this guide to safe online gambling in Italy, we will cover all of them.
Who Is Allowed to Gamble Online from Italy?
There are various reasons why some players should avoid online and land-based gaming venues. Residents struggling with addiction and financial losses due to gaming habits must stick to safe gaming rules in Italy. Here are some other categories of players that should avoid betting:
- Underage people – Players below 18 years old are forbidden to bet.
- Gamblers with addiction – Compulsive gamblers must avoid visiting gaming platforms.
- Players with depression – Gambling isn’t recommended for people with depressive and suicidal thoughts.
- People with financial problems – Italians that lost much money on gambling must refrain from it.
According to Italian gambling laws, only residents above 18 years can gamble at land-based casinos or online. Each of the best online casinos in Italy must ensure minors can’t access gambling games.
Operators should also observe signs of problem gambling closely and show support to those in need. For your online safety, play at licensed gambling platforms only. That will help you maintain healthy gaming habits and enjoy the iGaming world even more.
Italian Responsible Online Gambling: Best Practices
The Italian safe online gambling practices require casinos to support and protect players. Exploring your preferred gambling site will let you know the operator and their tools. That can be helpful if you try to help yourself or a friend fight gambling addiction.
Adopting safe gaming in Italy can save you much trouble and prevent financial losses. However, gambling harm is not only money-related but also emotional. Further, we will discuss the symptoms of addiction, but now, let’s explore the responsible gambling tools in Italy:
Set a Limit to Your Spendings
Keeping track of your money spent on gambling games or sports betting is essential. It’s easy to get lost in the gameplay, but don’t try to accumulate your losses. Unfortunately, this strategy rarely works, and it can have a negative effect on your finances.
Our advice is to set a budget and stick to it strictly. Don’t worry if you are still learning how because the operators can help you. Each licensed Italian casino operator should allow you to self-limit the money you spend.
You can set a maximum deposit per week or day and set a limit to your betting per game. If you try to exceed these limits, the casino system will automatically not allow you to proceed.
Set a Time Tracker
Losing track of time is a usual reason for players to overspend. However, financial losses aren’t the only consequence of problem gambling. You can play for fun but within certain timeframes.
It’s easy to get addicted and detach yourself from your personal and professional life. Feeling like gambling is your only escape isn’t a good sign, either. If you spend too much time on gambling sites or land-based betting venues, it’s time to use a time management tool.
Often, casinos provide features such as time trackers in the form of in-built clocks, which you can turn on before each session. Benefit from them and keep track of your playing habits.
Try a Self-Exclusion Programme
The regulations for responsible gambling in Italy require that each licensed operator offers self-exclusion programmes to their users. You can take a break from 30 to 90 days or exclude yourself for an undetermined period.
Once you subscribe, your data will be collected by the local self-excluded register operated by the Agency of Customs and Monopolies. If you need to control your gambling, please, follow these steps:
- Set a Mental Barrier on Gambling Urges – Gambling shouldn’t be your main occupation. Avoid playing when you are in a bad mood, tired, or nervous. If you notice signs of depression or are under the influence of alcohol, your self-control can decrease.
- Seek Self-Exclusion Help from a Responsible Gambling Entity – Choose a responsible gaming organisation and visit their site. Contact them via chat, email, or telephone to learn more about their programmes. Remember that the minimum duration of a self-exclusion scheme is six months from the subscription.
- Refer to the Self-Exclusion Options – Check your preferred gaming platform’s availability of self-exclusion schemes. Check the dedicated Responsible Gambling page and learn how to apply for taking a break from playing.
Each option can help you keep your playing habits within reasonable limits. Before you deposit, remember that playing means spending. Real-money gambling games are entertaining, but you must always stay within your budget.
Don’t spend money you don’t have – avoid credit cards and stick to placing small bets without overspending. Try to gamble responsibly by applying simple practices like setting a maximum deposit limit to your player’s account.
When in doubt, it’s better to get professional support. If you have already tried to reduce your gambling activity, but without success, you should contact a representative of an Italian safe gaming organisation of your choice.
List All Self-Limiting Options and Stick to Them
Italian players can learn how to self-limit their gambling activity by applying simple techniques. Some include adopting new habits in your everyday life, while others require professional help.
What is the best solution for you depends on the problem’s extent. Simple budget planning might help some, while others may need to exclude themselves from gaming for a long time. Below, you can find the steps to start practising safe gaming in Italy:
- Set a Monthly Budget for Gambling
- Take a Break While Playing
- Set a Maximum Bet
- Try Other Activities
- Share with a Friend
- Join a Support Group
- Never Borrow Money to Gamble
Should you feel like your gambling is getting out of control, we advise you to apply any of the abovementioned practices. Sticking to a budget or not exceeding a certain maximum bet will teach you discipline and save you from major financial losses.
The best part is that safe online gambling in Italy has many supporters in the face of organisations and casino operators. It’s always better to avoid long gaming sessions – using a time management tool can help you track how much time you spend per game.
Select low-stakes tables when it comes to roulette, blackjack, or poker. If you experience trouble sticking to these rules, share them with a friend and involve them in your journey towards safe gambling. If that doesn’t help, contact organisations such as Gambling Therapy.
Seek Professional Support if You Are a Compulsive Gambler
If you are afraid you suffer from gambling addiction, or you know someone that gambles excessively, you should refer to Italian responsible gambling organisations. Institutions such as Giocatori Anonimi have years of experience studying the topic and helping those in need.
By participating in a responsible gambling programme of theirs, you will be able to speak to professional therapists. You will also get the chance to share your thoughts and experience with other players.
You can start by calling the national helpline for problem gamblers (+39 800 558822). The hotline is operated by the National Centre for Addiction and Doping, a department of the Ministry of Health.
Italian Responsible Gambling Organisations & Regulators
Here, we gathered reputable organisations that offer gambling addiction therapy to Italian residents. Some, like Giocatori Anonimi, are world-known, while others are local. We will also overview the local regulatory and licensing body, the ADM. Learn about responsible gambling in Italy and its supporters.
Giocatori Anonimi
Giocatori Anonimi was founded in 1957 in the US. It started as a meeting between two men, sharing their common troubles regarding gambling. The meetings continued through the years to expand worldwide. In Italy, there are regular meetings in all 20 regions.
| 📛 Name of Authority: | Giocatori Anonimi |
|---|---|
| 📍 Address: | Multiple locations |
| ☎️ Tel. Number: | +39 338 1271215 |
| 📫 E-Mail: | [email protected] |
| 💻 Website: | www.lnx.giocatorianonimi.org |
| 💪 Core Tasks: | Supports the compulsive gamblers’ community |
| 👩👦 Support Groups: | Yes |
| 👫🏽 Meetings: | Yes |
The organisation supports the Italian responsible gaming community by organising in-person meetings, where players can remain anonymous. The representatives of Giocatori Anonimi are available via telephone and email as well.
GA is widely known for its 20 Questions test, to which most compulsive gamblers have answered with “yes” to at least 7 points. You can find it on their website if you’re interested in taking it.
Gam-Anon Italia
Gam-Anon Italia is a key figure for responsible gaming in Italy. It’s the major support network for people affected by gambling. Meetings and therapy sessions are available for families and friends of gaming addicts.
It can be devastating and emotionally exhausting to see your loved one playing compulsively. For that reason, Gam-Anon Italia always welcomes new members and comforts them by providing open-mindedness and sharing useful coping strategies.
| 📛 Name of Authority: | Gam-Anon |
|---|---|
| 📍 Address: | 5 Giovanni Pierluigi da Palestrina Str., 20124 Milan, Italy |
| ☎️ Tel. Number: | +39 340 4980895 |
| 📫 E-Mail: | [email protected] |
| 💻 Website: | www.gamanonitalia.org |
| 💪 Core Tasks: | Provides emotional support to families of gambling addicts |
| 👩👦 Support Groups: | Yes |
| 👫🏽 Meetings: | Yes |
Like Giocatori Anonimi, Gam-Anon Italia has a 20 Questions test for new members. Despite the resemblance in the names, the two organisations operate separately but in the same direction – towards responsible gambling in Italy.
Gam-Anon Italia and Giocatori Anonimi often share the same location, but the fellows meet in separate rooms. If you want to join the network, you can remain anonymous.
Gam-Anon Italia presents the 12 Steps programme, in which members recover by applying diverse techniques – from admitting they are powerless in front of gambling disorder to learning how to practice safe gaming and spreading the message to others.
Gambling Therapy
Gambling Therapy provides live and online support to players and their families. If you subscribe to their website, you can speak with a trained representative to help you find the right approach to your problem.
| 📛 Name of Authority: | Gambling Therapy |
|---|---|
| 📍 Address: | Multiple locations |
| ☎️ Tel. Number: | N/A |
| 📫 E-Mail: | [email protected] |
| 💻 Website: | www.gamblingtherapy.org |
| 💪 Core Tasks: | Provides in-person and online support to gamblers |
| 👩👦 Support Groups: | Yes |
| 👫🏽 Meetings: | Yes |
The therapists of the organisation are multilingual, and you can speak to them in Italian or English, among many other languages. Besides the support groups of Gambling Therapy in Italy, you can also join their online forum, which is active 24/7.
You can write down your personal experience, which is therapeutic to the healing process. Furthermore, you can download the Gambling Therapy app and enjoy its numerous features – self-evaluation tests, daily motivation quotes, links to gambling-blocking software, and more.
Gioca Responsabile
Gioca Responsabile is a national helpline and online support platform and is part of the FeDeSerD (Italian Federation of Workers of the Addiction Departments and Services). The organisation disposes of 1500+ professionals that provide gambling addiction therapy services in Italy.
| 📛 Name of Authority: | Gioca Responsabile |
|---|---|
| 📍 Address: | N/A |
| ☎️ Tel. Number: | +39 800 151000 |
| 📫 E-Mail: | [email protected] |
| 💻 Website: | www.gioca-responsabile.it |
| 💪 Core Tasks: | Provide tools and knowledge to problem gamblers |
| 👩👦 Support Groups: | Yes |
| 👫🏽 Meetings: | No |
The platform offers multiple guides to safe gaming for Italian players. Problem gamblers can use the site to calculate how much they spend, learn how to manage finances, maintain progress, and more.
Parents can read about how to educate their children on the topic and prevent them from underage betting. You can ask for more information on the Gioca Responsabile helpline from Monday to Thursday, from 15.30 p.m. to 20.30 p.m. CET.
Global Gambling Guidance Group (G4)
Global Gambling Guidance Group (G4) is not an Italian-based entity. However, it operates internationally and partners with multiple Italian iGaming platforms. It aims to decrease the impact of problem gaming by issuing certificates to operators that comply with safe online gambling in Italy.
| 📛 Name of Authority: | Global Gambling Guidance Group (G4) |
|---|---|
| 📍 Address: | Pieter Calandlaan 317 – 319, 1068 NH Amsterdam, the Netherlands |
| ☎️ Tel. Number: | +31 20 412 44 03 |
| 📫 E-Mail: | [email protected] |
| 💻 Website: | www.gx4.com |
| 💪 Core Tasks: | Provides responsible gambling certification to operators |
| 👩👦 Support Groups: | No |
| 👫🏽 Meetings: | No |
If you notice the G4 logo on the chosen casino or betting site, that’s a good sign. The organisation has created a Responsible Gambling Code of Practice, and those who are committed to it can receive its stamp of approval.
Licensed operators go through an audit executed by a Global Gambling Guidance Group representative. It covers practices about age verification, player protection, advertising, bonuses, risk assessments, loyalty programmes, and general T&C.
Agency of Customs and Monopolies
The Agency of Customs and Monopolies is the official gaming regulator and licensing body in Italy. It is a department of the Ministry of Economy and Finance. The ADM agency ensures the state’s interests and protects Italian citizens by resolving disputes between them and operators.
| 📛 Name of Authority: | Agency of Customs and Monopolies |
|---|---|
| 📍 Address: | 12 Piazza Mastai, 00153 Rome |
| ☎️ Tel. Number: | +39 800 217213 |
| 📫 E-Mail: | [email protected] |
| 💻 Website: | www.adm.gov.it |
| 💪 Core Tasks: | Responsible for licensing and regulating the iGaming market |
| 👩👦 Support Groups: | No |
| 👫🏽 Meetings: | No |
The ADM ensures that Italian players can gamble responsibly by requiring all licensed operators to offer self-exclusion programmes. You can take a break of 30, 60, or 90 days at legal casino sites and betting platforms.
Of course, you can exclude yourself for an indefinite period as well. On the websites of the ADM, there is a register of all licensed operators. You can also refer to it to check Italy’s latest safe gaming regulations.
Risks of Excessive Gambling in Italy
There are many ways gambling can affect your life. The first thing that comes to mind may be financial issues, but the harm of compulsive gambling is far deeper than that.
Feeling isolated, guilty, or ashamed of your betting activity can cause depression. That can lead you to detach yourself from reality and distance yourself from your close ones.
You risk developing an addiction if you don’t follow the principles of safe gaming in Italy. The consequences lead to anxiety, disturbed sleep, and in the worst case, suicidal thoughts. If any of these symptoms appear, please, contact professional responsible gambling support.
What risks do Italian players face when not gambling responsibly?
- Becoming a compulsive gambler
- Facing financial difficulties
- Accumulating considerable debt
- Distancing yourself from family or friends
- Suffering from depression, anger, or sadness
- Ruining your reputation and the trust of people
If you aren’t sure whether your gambling shows signs of addiction, taking a quiz is recommended. You can refer to Gambling Therapy or Giocatori Anonimi’s websites, where questionnaires are available and will determine if you’re at risk.
You should strictly follow Italian responsible gaming rules to avoid destructive behaviour that could ruin your personal and work relations. At all costs, you should avoid overspending and losing too much time while playing online.
Italian Players Whom Gambling May Not Be Suitable For
As we mentioned in our guide to responsible gaming in Italy, uncontrolled betting can seriously affect your life and those around you. Behavioural addiction is a compulsion to undertake a certain activity, such as playing real money games.
Problem gamblers continue to bet even if they are aware of the negative consequences. Such people should refrain from gambling, same as the following categories of players:
- Italian players who show signs of gambling addiction
- People who tend to obsess over things easily
- Players from Italy that face financial problems
- Underaged people
- Italians suffering from depression or anxiety
- People who suffered from gambling addictions in the past
- Locals with potential intellectual or cognitive disabilities
Italian Gambling Sites Without Responsible Behaviour to Avoid
According to the Italian gambling laws established by the Agency of Customs and Monopolies, all licensed operators must comply with the local safe online gambling regulations. These include offering responsible gaming tools that will prevent players from overspending or addiction.
Unfortunately, not all operators comply with local gambling laws and regulations. Some offer real money games without owning a licence or neglect players’ needs for gambling addiction therapy. To avoid unpleasant situations, you shouldn’t play at a gaming platform when:
- The casino site is not authorised by the ADM
- There is no certificate of complying with responsible gambling in Italy
- You can’t participate in self-exclusion programmes at the site
- The operator doesn’t allow you to set a deposit limit
- External auditors have not verified the operator’s RTP
- The casino website doesn’t own an SSL certificate
- The operator has shown irresponsible gambling behaviour in the past
- The casino’s advertisement invites players to gamble excessively
Never underestimate the importance of responsible gaming. If an operator protects their players, they are legitimate, and the chances of a satisfying experience are high. Finally, we remind you to gamble responsibly and not be afraid to seek help when in need.
Frequently Asked Questions from Italian Gamblers
Our safe gaming guide for Italian players concludes with an FAQ section. Below, we answer our readers’ most popular questions on how to stay safe while playing online and bet responsibly. Learn about the organisations supporting the cause in Italy and inform yourself of the risks of compulsive gambling.