Bevilacqua (5 Stars): «My battle against gambling in the name of a friend who lost everything»

«My commitment to combating gambling stems from my personal experience, because I have seen first-hand the consequences of gambling addiction» says 5 Star Senator Dolores Bevilacqua , vice-president of the Permanent Commission on European Union Policies and promoter of a round table that will be held in the Senate on 17 July «to bring the issue of gambling and the economic and social costs for which we all pay the price to the attention of the public» .

When did your active commitment to combating gambling begin and why?

It started years ago, when I was still in Palermo. It was 2017 and I was one of the organizers of an awareness event in the area: a beach volleyball match in which we invited citizens to participate, wearing t-shirts with the words “Gambling is not a game”. And from there I never stopped. For July 17, I am organizing a round table in the Senate to keep attention high. Experts such as Maurizio Fiasco and psychiatrist Antonino Tamburello and some journalists will speak. Citizens must be informed.

And today one of his battles concerns another type of shirt: those of Serie A footballers…

At the beginning of March 2025, a resolution presented by Fratelli d'Italia was approved, which commits the Government to review Article 9 of the 2018 Dignity Decree, formally opening the possibility of reactivating advertising and sponsorships by betting operators on footballers' shirts and also in stadiums and on billboards. A subsequent decree is needed to formally modify the legislation, but in the meantime, together with the rest of the opposition, we are mobilizing forcefully. The Dignity Decree contains limitations that should be observed. This is not a matter of prohibitionism, but of common sense and public health.

What do you answer to the argument that 1% of the revenue generated by sponsored betting through football will be allocated to infrastructure such as stadiums and women's football, but also responsible gaming campaigns?

Paradoxically, in addition to the fact that, in the face of the declaration of football clubs that without gambling advertising they lose 100 million euros a year, the billions of euros of social spending related to gambling should instead be counted.

He insists a lot on raising awareness among citizens. As a member of the Rai Parliamentary Supervisory Commission, how do you judge the controversy over the broadcast Affari Tuoi that would induce gambling?

Public service must certainly have particular caution and attention. We would have liked to hear the Rai management, but the Supervisory Authority is currently blocked. In fact, the majority boycotts the meetings by deserting them, so we do not have the numbers to hold the hearings.

How much does the presence of lobbies weigh in politics?

Very much so. Just think of the “save football decree” by Forza Italia senator Claudio Lotito to spread the tax debts of football clubs. As president of Lazio I would say that this is a conflict of interest. Always to return to the topic of football.

Another hot topic is the transparency of gambling data …

This is a public safety issue. Knowing the gambling numbers is essential to address the consequences. The failure to publish the Adm Blue Book is a symptom of the smokescreen used to cover gambling so as not to inform the public of how serious the emergency is. In fact, citizens do not have a real perception of the size of the problem. This is why it is necessary to have updated data! They are also needed to activate politics itself, which otherwise hides from its responsibilities.

He told us that he had direct experience of the drama of gambling, can you tell us how?

Years ago, an insurance agent friend of mine used her clients' policy money to cover her gambling debts. She stopped when she was discovered, but it was too late. In addition to all her savings, she also lost her family: her husband left her and her children kicked her out. It was a turning point for me to see first-hand what gambling really is. Anything but a game.

In the opening image, Senator Dolore Bevilacqua – photo provided by the author