CNI considers protest over proposed 2027 Italian budget measures

Italy's Confederazione Noleggiatori Italiani (CNI) is considering organising a protest against measures in the 2027 budget affecting the gaming-machine sector, the association said. The CNI's board shares the position, which it said reflects concern about the economic consequences of a further tax burden on distribution and management companies, particularly small and medium-sized businesses.

CNI president Vito Palo said political forces were not giving adequate, or only partial, hearing to the association's requests while asking companies for an economic effort that risks the survival of many businesses involved in distributing and managing amusement machines. He said the association was forced to consider organising a peaceful demonstration, involving other trade associations, with some of which it has already held discussions.

According to Palo, an initial organisational phase could begin on Monday, aimed at identifying a possible date for the mobilisation. The date of the demonstration remains to be set.

The CNI said it wants the protest to involve the whole public gambling chain, not only distribution companies: concessionaires, managers, venue operators and hall owners. Palo said the association would ask all associations and all components of the distribution chain to take part, adding that the whole sector needed to intervene.

The association said this would not be its first such initiative. The CNI has previously promoted demonstrations in defence of companies in the sector, including during the COVID health emergency, when restrictions put activities linked to public gambling under pressure.

Palo said the aim was to draw the institutions' attention to the companies' economic difficulties and to the effects the new tax measures could have on the public gambling network.