In Italy, the Institute for Political, Economic and Social Studies (Eurispes) recently published the results of the research “Bingo in the crisis of legal gambling in Italy: risks and prospects for the most‘ social ’offer in the gaming galaxy”; a study that makes a deep analysis of this subsector and leaves interesting conclusions that INFOPLAY wanted to analyze for its readers.
The president of the Eurispes Gaming, Legality and Pathologies Observatory, Antonio De Donno, was in charge of presenting the results of the investigation related to the following important aspects: concessions, taxes, characteristics of establishments, job creation, associated businesses, player profile, restrictions, among others.
It should be noted that, during the presentation videoconference, De Donno stressed that bingo is "a different game from the others, much less permeable to the risks of gambling addiction." He also explained that based on the scientific results obtained, it is possible to affirm that "an overly rigid application of schedules and distances runs the risk of favoring gambling addiction and leads to the ghettoization of the sector." On the other hand, he commented that bingo receives a minimum of 1.5% of the amount played in Italy.
Below, we share with our readers some of the research findings:
Socialization: it takes place in a space with the presence of many actors, such as the staff in the gaming area and auxiliary services such as bars and restaurants.
Employment: it has between 8,000 and 10,000 employees (an average of 50 workers for each of the 203 active rooms until December 31, 2018), approximately 60% women.
Revenue: Bingo collection volumes were substantially stable in the three-year period 2016-2018. Gross income derived from the sale of the cartons amounted to approximately 273 million euros, or an average of 1,346 million euros per establishment.
Closure of establishments: on December 31, 2018, 203 Bingo Rooms were in operation, a year later there were only 198 left. Exact data on the effects linked to the Covid-19 health emergency are still not available. On the other hand, the study concluded that no bingo room could survive without the presence of other gaming machines and income from food services.
Player Profile: 1.1 million players, of which 58% are women; the average monthly expenditure per capita (in players) is 33 euros; the average monthly expenditure per capita (in resident population +18 years) of 0.7 euros. Only 13% of players say that they "always" play alone, which implies that the Bingo hall is perceived as a meeting place for entertainment activities.
Taxes: the single tax is applied with a rate of 25% and the tax base is made up of the gross margin (difference between the collection and the winnings returned to the players).
Results of the investigation "Bingo in the crisis of legal gambling in Italy"
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