In continuity with a similar initiative promoted in July last year, the General Command of the Carabinieri has re-proposed the implementation of a specific national campaign for the prevention and fight against the various forms of illegality connected with pathological gambling and betting, as proof of the high attention that the Institution continues to direct towards a phenomenon which, among the new addictions, is confirmed to be rapidly increasing and increasingly characterized by significant implications in the individual, family and social dynamics in genre.
Control activity on the provincial territory
In this context, in consideration of the unchanged relevance of the risk factors of gambling for vulnerable groups – especially for the very young and the elderly – the attention of the Carabinieri towards the specific phenomenon has led the units dependent on the Provincial Command of Cosenza to control – during the ordinary territorial control services – 83 businesses on the entire territory of the Province, employing a total of 170 soldiers.
Operational synergy and specialist checks
The checks, aimed at different types of businesses open to the public that provide gaming or betting services with cash winnings, were in some cases also carried out with the support of personnel from the Customs and Monopolies Agency and the Carabinieri of the Labor Inspectorate Unit of Cosenza, having also been aimed at verifying the existence of any violations falling within their respective and specific competence.
Balance of the operation: complaints and sanctions
Overall, some irregularities were ascertained, reporting two people to the competent judicial authorities for criminal offenses of a contravention nature and contesting seven administrative sanctions, for a total amount quantified – in maximum – at 46,800 euros.