This event covering three working days in Salerno has been a success. So many people were present to share a moment in which to exchange views on the gaming culture and pass on information.

 "As far as I am concerned the aim of this meeting is not to reach conclusions. The main thing is to debate, and to bring to light issues and questions. I hope that the unresolved issues we table today will be answered in ten years' time," said Professor Alfonso Tortora. He mentioned that in the eighteenth century gaming was viewed as an important part of social interchange. With the passage of time these dynamic internal trends in gaming have changed the entire panorama of gaming both at a national and at an international level.

On the second day, in the evening, a concert was held, dedicated to the historian Giuseppe Imbucci. Among the speakers were many personalities known to the public gaming operators, such as Vitaliano Casalone, Gamenet President, who said: "I firmly believe that because of our history and tradition the battle against illegality is a long and arduous one. But one thing is certain: despite all the troubles, the government will always win."

 On the last day, a round table was held that was entirely dedicated to the analysis of the Italian gaming market. The first speaker was Giovanni Risso, national President of the Italian Federation of Tobacconists. His paper entitled "Innovation and tradition: a possible synthesis", offered a chance of briefly reviewing the history of Lotto. "If, for many people, the association between tobacco products and gaming is a fact, up to a short time ago it was just pure and simple science fiction. The first steps taken by tobacconists into the world of gaming go back to the early 80's, when the Italian Federation of Tobacconists decided to bring the game of Lotto inside their shops," he said. "In 1982, aware of the continuous downtrend of the game, the lawmakers decided to change its operational management. On behalf of its members, the Italian Federation of Tobacconists was ahead of all the others in putting its members forward as new operators". This relationship initially brought positive results through the years, only now experiencing a slight downturn.

"In 1987 when the first tobacconists took charge of the task of collecting the stakes, the government had a total annual revenue of €465.33 million. The steady rise in the number of tobacconists awarded a licence on the basis of their commitment and professionalism, has seen the government revenue topping €10,089.50 million in 1999. Against this since 2000 a downturn has started, and it continues today," added Risso.

 Aldo Gagliardi, national President of the Association of sports Totoricevitori, presented a paper entitled "The world of gaming related to sports: facts and people as the basis for a dream of collective riches". Since 1946, sports bets (Totocalcio and Totip - betting on football and the horses), numerical pools (Enalotto), tote betting (Tris) and fixed odds betting have fed the dreams of the Italians for riches. Gagliardi explained: "In a history spanning fifty years, sports betting premises have in actual fact contributed to the growth of an economic sector with revenues of 2% of the national GDP. An amazing feat, which however does not include the traditional games of a betting shop, among which is the historic Totocalcio, now marked by an inexorable decline. A change in society has brought about a change also in how betting is played. Today's society prefers gaming modes that do not require the physical presence of somebody to collect the money".

For Ezio Filippone, Managing Director of Gamenet, a "Gaming Agency" is the key to a change for the future. This would be a new body capable of regulating and administering the complex world of gaming, and in addition capable of making use of various available research tools, in order to increase the awareness and satisfaction of users and consumers. "In this framework and as a representative of an AAMS licensed dealer, I believe it is my duty to contribute, on the basis of the experience and knowledge acquired during these years, to identify the main aspects of the regulations, management and control, that may be granted to a new body, be it an Agency or a Public Authority," he said. Filippone continued by saying "We firmly believe that to debate whether to concentrate or disperse some functions to be entrusted to the new body is a sterile and inconclusive exercise. The new structure committed to gaming must be capable of discharging all its responsibilities, including how to manage the various tax elements, with the exception of coercive collection." The gaming sector requires a systematic action on regulations. Francesco Tolotti, Member of Parliament, focussed his attention on this aspect. "The great game that has to be played is that of social responsibility, aimed at safeguarding the consumer," he said. Also taking part in the proceedings was Raffaele Palmieri, President of S.i.con (Licensed Firms Association), who tabled a paper entitled "The development of competition within the public gaming market in Italy". Palmieri stated: "In the betting system we are working in step with the government." The horse betting sector, often viewed as second rate vis-à-vis other types of betting, is increasing its reference targets remarkably. "Between 1996 and 2006 we have seen an increase of 13.9% in horse betting". Representing Lottomatica S.p.a., Dr. Teresa Zompetti presented a paper entitled: "Lottomatica and responsible gaming". Zompetti explained that for Lottomatica responsible growth means developing the business by gaining respect and trust from the players and society at large. Lottomatica endorses the AAMS policy on "Safe gaming in the battle against illegal gaming". This is a responsible growth aimed at building balanced and sensible gaming. Lastly, Lorenzo Stoppini spoke on behalf of Maurizio Ughi, the Snai President.

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