Gambling workers in Italy are protesting on Thursday next week

Italy's gambling workers, affiliated under the slogan "Legal Gambling Workers", will protest next week. By protesting in Milan and Rome on Thursday next week, workers will take the government to ease COVID-19 restrictions allowing gambling venues to reopen.

Players in Italy will be protesting next week on Thursday

Employees of legal gambling operators in Italy are planning a public protest on February 18. The employees are united under the slogan " Legal gambling employees ". They will protest simultaneously in Piazza del Duomo in Milan and Piazza del Popolo in Rome. The main reason for the protests is the ongoing COVID-19 restrictions that are closing down gambling venues.

Associations and trade unions have already expressed their support for the protests. In addition, trade unions stressed that the protracted closures of gambling venues have affected more than 150,000 people in the industry. Overall, more than 400,000 people combined may be affected by closures, unions concerned.

The main goal of protesters is for the Italian government to ease COVID-19 restrictions by allowing gambling sites in "yellow" zones to reopen according to national COVID zone markers. The Legal Gaming Workers stressed in a statement that the licensed gaming industry pays 4.5 billion euros in taxes annually. In addition, protesters claimed that the sector was " the most effective defense ”Against illegal gambling.

Over 170 companies will support the protest

Next week's protests are expected to unite over 170 companies affected by COVID-19 restrictions. In addition to betting shops and gambling venues, employees from bingo halls, arcades, bars and entertainment companies are expected to join them.

Focusing on the lockdown, the industry was shut down for 7 months, including the first lockdown. In other words, the closures have affected gambling venues for more than 210 days. In addition, one of the drivers of the protests is the continued uncertainty as to when gambling venues can be reopened to visitors.

Contrary to the problems of the retail sector, the Italian online gambling market performed better in December 2020. Data published by Ficom Leisure for iGB warehouse on earlier this week showed that in December, the industry reached EUR 359 million in gross gaming revenues. Compared to the year-over-year, this represented an increase in the 86%.