The Italian Health Ministry invests €44 million to strengthen prevention and rehabilitation in responsible gaming
With a new decree, registered on 25 June 25 2025, and reviewed by the State-Regions Conference, the has allocated €44 million to support the prevention, treatment, and rehabilitation of gambling-related disorders. The initiative forms part of a long-term institutional strategy to promote a more conscious and sustainable gaming culture, with regional and provincial administrations required to present structured programmes tied to measurable outcomes.
This is a decisive move that reinforces the State’s commitment to managing the public health implications of problematic gambling, while also consolidating the balance between sector growth and social responsibility. For stakeholders in the iGaming industry, it underscores a regulatory environment increasingly defined by shared accountability – one where institutional efforts work in tandem with voluntary self-regulation from the most progressive operators.
A targeted fund with transparent goals
stipulates that funds will be distributed according to 2023 National Health Fund (FSN) access quotas, maintaining continuity with strategies adopted in previous years. Within 60 days, regional authorities must submit a detailed action plan for 2024, outlining objectives, monitoring indicators, key personnel, and how funds will be distributed among implementation bodies.
This multi-level framework ensures funds are used effectively and transparently, aligning public sector efforts with the principles of accountability, evidence-based planning, and measurable impact.
Focus on prevention, support, and social reintegration
The GAP (Gambling Disorder) Fund for 2024 will support interventions across three strategic pillars. The first is prevention, with campaigns aimed at raising awareness and delivering educational initiatives – particularly in schools and high-impact settings. The second is treatment through strengthened local health services and addiction units SER.D (Addiction Services of the Italian National Health System), offering psychological and therapeutic support. The third pillar is rehabilitation, including initiatives that assist individuals in debt management and in re-entering the workforce and community.
This operational framework reflects a model of institutional responsibility while providing a reference point for private sector actors looking to align with ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance), standards and public health objectives.
A phased model with long-term monitoring
This is not a lump-sum allocation. Access to the 2024 funding is conditional upon the proper use of previous allocations. Regions must show they have spent at least 80% of the 2021 funds, 50% of the 2022 funds, and 20% of the 2023 funds. A comprehensive financial and technical report must be submitted by 30 March 2026.
Reporting deadlines extend to 2030, underscoring the programme’s long-term vision and commitment to sustainable results. This phased approach not only protects public investment but also supports the development of data-driven decision-making frameworks at both local and national levels.
Opportunities for a sector increasingly focused on responsibility
The Italian iGaming industry has demonstrated growing awareness around player protection and responsible gaming. Many licensed operators have already adopted self-exclusion tools, predictive behavioural technologies, and advanced ID verification systems.
The Ministry’s plan enters a mature landscape where dialogue between regulators and industry players is not only possible but essential. This decree provides a clear legislative framework within which the entire ecosystem – public and private – can collaborate to build a model of sustainable and forward-looking growth.
Building a sustainable future
The 2024 GAP Fund is more than just a budget line – it represents a building block in the country’s broader effort to harmonise economic development, public health, and social innovation. For the iGaming industry, it’s an opportunity to reaffirm its role as a responsible partner, contributing insights, technology, and best practices towards a shared goal: to make gaming safer, smarter, and more inclusive.
As regulation continues to shape the future of the industry, the ability to work together – governments, operators, and communities – will define the next frontier of regulated gaming in Italy.
This article was first published in Italian on 9 July 2025.
All roads lead to Rome, 03–06 November 2025. SiGMA Central Europe takes centre stage at the Fiera Roma, uniting 30,000 delegates, 1,200 exhibitors, and 700+ speakers. This is where legacies are built, and the future takes shape. Connect with the innovators’ driving change.
