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A gaming law proposal on possible moratorium on the installation of new gaming machines in Italy for 5 years created a considerable panic today, but in my view this no more than a joke of April fool’s day…
I received today a panicked email from a client as follows “Is this serious / real?” followed by an article from a famous gaming journal about a 5 years moratorium on the installation of additional gaming machines in Italy that apparently is set to become law as it was something expected to occur in the next days leading to the collapse of the whole industry!
My first reaction was a big laugh and since I understood that several clients might be panicking for the same article I started sending emails to all of them to calm them down. Indeed, what happened is very far from becoming a law. And as occurred for the threatened 12 months ban on online gaming that did not lead to anything, this is in my view the likely end of such proposal.
It is true that a proposal prohibiting the installation of additional AWPs and videolotteries has been approved, but such approval was only from a commission of the Parliament that does not have the power to bind the Parliament which never discussed and voted it. Also, since licensees have already paid € 15,000 per each videolottery gaming license and € 100 per each AWP, even though they have not installed all the machines for which they hold the license, does it mean that following this law (if eventually approved) during such financial downturn the Government is going to refund this amount plus the damages and loss of profits that licensees will claim? And what about the 3 new licensees which just obtained the so called network license bearing substantial investments in the view of the 9 years of duration of the license and will be prevented from installing new machines?
Based on the above, in my view such proposal will not lead to anything, but if you are still concerned feel free to contact me, Giulio Coraggio (giulio.coraggio@gmail.com), to discuss. And follow me on my Facebook page, Twitter, Google+ and become one of my friends on LinkedIn.
Image courtesy of Flickr by Procsilas Moscas
