Now a draft decree has been presented to the European Commission by Italy, with new technical rules for devices without cash prizes. It is this document that so concerns the industry. There is a proposal in the decree that every type of machine entering the Italian market should be homologated, which is understandably unworkable simply from the cost point of view. The situation is so concerning that Euromat, the European federation of coin machine trade associations, is writing to the European Union to point out the proposals are unworkable.

A seminar to discuss the crisis is set for the first day of the EAG Online virtual show on April 20. A study into the situation had been carried out by an academic team working on behalf of the Italian trade associations, notably highlighting ticket redemption, in an attempt to debunk the myth that they were effectively games of chance. That study is now near completion and will be discussed at the upcoming seminar. Meantime, the Italian regions were continuing to control an industry with outdated and confusing regulations. (2021/04/15)