Grosseto council approves motion on slot-machine hours and gambling harm

Grosseto's municipal council approved a motion on 27 October 2026 on preventing problem gambling, committing the administration to act on slot-machine operating hours, introduce incentives for businesses that give up the machines and run public awareness initiatives. The motion was presented and supported by councillors Gabbrielli, Pettrone, Cucchi, Pieraccini and Cerboni, representing Gruppo Misto, UDC, Popolari Noi Moderati and Azione, according to the report.

One of the main commitments concerns limiting the operating hours of machines with cash winnings. The motion also provides for an ethical "No Slot" mark, accompanied by relief measures for businesses that choose not to install or to give up slot machines.

On prevention, the municipality is committed to promoting training courses and awareness activities with associations and bodies in the area. The initiatives will target secondary-school students and older people in particular, with the aim of improving knowledge of the risks linked to problem gambling.

The motion also contains requests addressed to national institutions. The mayor is tasked with representing to the Government and Parliament the need to strengthen rules on gambling advertising, introduce stricter rules for online gambling and increase resources for addiction services (SerD) and social services assisting people and families affected by gambling-related problems.

The approval came at the end of a council debate during which doubts and requests to withdraw the document also emerged. With the vote in favour, the council set out the priorities on which the administration will be called to develop subsequent measures.