SlotItaly is one of the birthplaces of modern gambling - and it remains deeply woven into daily life. The word casino itself is Italian, Venice’s 1638 Ridotto is often called the world’s first government-sanctioned public gambling house, and today millions of Italians play the lottery, scratch Gratta e Vinci cards and bet on calcio (football) every week. Yet the culture is ambivalent: alongside the ritual of the weekly draw sits real concern about problem gambling, which has shaped some of Europe’s toughest advertising laws.
A long gambling history
Gambling in Italy traces back to Roman dice games. The modern story starts in Venice, where the Ridotto opened in 1638 as a government-owned gaming house - and the word ‘casino’ (literally ‘little house’) is Italian. The modern lottery has strong Italian roots too: a Genoese lottery emerged in the mid-16th century (around 1557), and a fully government-regulated Lotto was established in Venice in 1734 - the ancestor of Italy’s national Lotto and, in spirit, of bingo. Historic casinos still operate at Sanremo and Venice (Ca’ Vendramin Calergi), and formerly at the enclave of Campione d’Italia.
The games Italians actually play
| Game | What it is | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| SuperEnalotto | National jackpot lottery (created by Sisal in 1997) | Famous for enormous, record-breaking jackpots |
| Lotto | Centuries-old number lottery | Tied to folklore and La Smorfia dream-number tradition |
| Gratta e Vinci | Scratch cards | Ubiquitous at tabaccherie (tobacconists) |
| Calcio betting | Football wagering | Deeply tied to Serie A fandom |
| Slots (AWP/VLT) | Bar and arcade machines | Huge revenue - and the focus of problem-gambling worry |
| Poker & bingo/tombola | Cards and Tombola | Tombola is a Christmas family tradition |
La Smorfia - a Neapolitan system linking dreams and events to lottery numbers - shows how deeply the lottery is stitched into everyday Italian culture.
Attitudes and the advertising ban
Italians love a flutter, but problem gambling - especially around slot machines - is a live public concern. In July 2018 the government’s Decreto Dignita (Dignity Decree) introduced a sweeping ban on gambling advertising and sponsorship across TV, radio, print, billboards and online, making Italy one of the first European countries to do so. The measure remains in force, and the 2025 licensing reform layered on further responsible-gambling obligations for operators.
Who runs Italian gambling today
Lottomatica is the market leader. The other giant is Flutter, which owns Sisal (the operator of SuperEnalotto) and completed its acquisition of Snai/Snaitech in April 2025, giving it a leading share of the online market. Eurobet and GoldBet are also well-known betting brands. All must hold an ADM concession to operate legally.
18+ only. Gambling can be addictive - please play responsibly. Italy’s national helpline is 800 55 88 22 (free, anonymous, Mon-Fri 10:00-16:00).