Italy’s Council of State rejects appeal over betting and VLT venue
Regulation2 min read
Italy’s Council of State rejected a company’s final appeal against the denial of permission for a betting outlet and VLT machines in Colognola ai Colli. The court ruled that an occupational-medicine outpatient centre counts as a protected sensitive site under Veneto’s rules, which bar gambling venues within 400 metres; the proposed premises were closer.
Italy’s Council of State has rejected a company owner’s final appeal against the refusal of permission for a betting outlet and VLT machines in Colognola ai Colli. The court ruled that a centre specialising solely in occupational medicine is a protected site under Veneto’s gambling rules.
Veneto’s rules prohibit gambling and betting venues within 400 metres’ walking distance of hospitals, schools and outpatient facilities providing health or social care. The proposed premises were less than 400 metres from Poliambulatorio Galeno Veneta, which is authorised to practise occupational medicine.
The ruling upheld an earlier Veneto administrative court judgment and the decision by Verona police and the Verona Est municipal union to block the authorisation under article 88 of Italy’s public security law.
The company argued that the outpatient centre was not a protected site. Its defence said the centre operated only in occupational medicine and conducted examinations at client companies or in mobile units, without receiving patients on its premises.
The Council of State said outpatient facilities were protected regardless of their medical specialism and that property plans showed four permanent consulting rooms. The centre’s service charter allows self-employed workers, professionals and private citizens to book examinations at reception and pay on site.
The court found no shortcomings in the authorities’ investigation, noting that they had checked the premises’ capacity using plans and internal rules rather than relying solely on health authorisations. The court ruled that each party should bear its own legal costs, and the ban on opening the betting and VLT venue remains in force.