Milan Metropolitan City promotes Ethics Charter against pathological gambling

In the current climate of expectations, regulatory gaps, and paradoxical legalizations, there is some good news regarding gambling. And it comes from the bottom. From the local community. We're talking about the Ethics Charter promoted by several municipalities in southern Milan and subsequently adopted and promoted by the Health Protection Agency (ATS) of the Metropolitan City of Milan as part of the Pathological Gambling Plan (GAP ), the regional and local program for the prevention and fight against pathological gambling. It's an example of a virtuous and therefore replicable model, but also a declaration of intent in the concrete form of an operational guide to build more aware, protected, and supportive communities.

Nine municipalities in the San Giuliano Milanese area have approved Lombardy's first regional Ethics Charter on problem gambling: San Donato, Melegnano, Carpiano, Cerro al Lambro, Colturano, Dresano, San Zenone al Lambro, and Vizzolo Predabissi. This is the first charter approved at the regional level after that of the Municipality of Rho .

The Ethical Charter begins by recognizing that gambling is a fundamental human right and need, beneficial to growth, well-being, and social relationships. Gambling, however, especially when it becomes pathological, has a devastating impact on individuals, families, and communities: it creates addiction, leads to economic ruin, and even fosters criminal activities such as usury and money laundering. Faced with these risks, many Milanese municipalities and local authorities have decided to join forces, making concrete commitments.

"It's important for local governments to develop and raise awareness of the social and public health implications of gambling, so they can raise awareness among the population," says Corrado Celata, director of the Complex Structure of the ATS Metropolitan City of Milan. "At a time when the rules governing legal gambling are rapidly changing, it's essential to develop principles and values that are always valid and not limited to regulations." The Ethical Charter proposes precisely these basic principles and values for implementing a concrete fight against gambling in the local area. "These are principles and values that ATS Milan has embraced and is proposing to all 193 municipalities within its jurisdiction, while similar approaches are also being implemented by other ATSs in Lombardy," demonstrating that we're talking about a model of action and prevention that can be exported. A true systematization of local policies and actions, integrated across the health and social sectors.

The Ethics Charter model has also been approved by the Board of Mayors so that it can be adopted and adapted to the individual social spheres of municipalities. The Ethics Charter is therefore a guiding tool for local policies, particularly through co-planning with third sector organizations.

Sara Santagostino Pretina, President of the Conference of Mayors of the Metropolitan City of Milan and Deputy Mayor of Settimo Milanese, is pleased: "We now know the impact of pathological gambling on the organization of municipal social services, also considering that care is not limited to those with the disease, but to the entire family unit. This is why the Ethical Charter is a tool we believe can foster shared goals and procedures across the region. I'm thinking in particular of small municipalities, which will be better supported in caring for their most vulnerable citizens, a care that must be shared as widely as possible beyond municipal boundaries. Furthermore, the Ethical Charter clearly highlights the foundations of prevention. Obviously, the major problem of online gambling remains, which particularly affects minors and is also linked to a lack of digital education for young people."

To address this unrestricted access to gambling, "with the Ethical Charter, we also involve local police forces. Since the state is one of the primary proponents of gambling, we find ourselves with, on the one hand, those working for prevention and health, and on the other, the business owners and retailers authorized by the state to sell and promote gambling. This is why involving local police forces with regulations that legitimize their controls and potential sanctions is an additional tool we have to combat the scourge of gambling in our communities."

• Inform : Increase awareness of the risks associated with gambling, including online gambling, and ask the Customs and Monopolies Agency to provide updated data on gambling volumes.
• Representation : each municipality appoints a representative to coordinate anti-gambling actions at the local level.
• Limit advertising : curb the promotion of winnings, which fuels the illusion of easy money. Involve local media and retailers.
• Raise awareness and prevent : organize initiatives aimed at young people and the elderly to inform them about the risks, and disseminate contact information for listening and care services for those in difficulty.
• Promote healthy alternatives : Support recreational, educational, and social activities for all ages, with community events and non-gambling opportunities to meet.
• Game Festival : Every year, a large, local event is organized to celebrate healthy, creative, and relational gaming, free from gambling.
• Training : Develop courses for educators, social workers, and law enforcement to improve their ability to recognize and address early signs of distress.
• Support those who want to change : help people in difficulty and merchants who decide to remove slot machines from their premises, offering alternatives that enhance relationships and legality.
• Counteract the phenomenon : strengthen the network between institutions, associations, schools, and citizens to protect the health of young people, especially young people, and build aware and resilient communities.

  Photo by Elsa Tornabene on Unsplash