A change at the helm of European casinos and the association that represents them. The new president of the European casino association is in fact the Dutchman Erwin van Lambaart, who succeeded the Swedish Per Jaldung, who had been in charge since 2015 and who at the end of 2022 left his position as Ceo of Casino Cosmopol too.
Well, a new era for the association: in an interview published in the September issue of Gioco News magazine, also available online from tomorrow, September, the 1st, van Lambaart explains the projects that will be carried forward, the challenges/opportunities to face and to be seized (above all, that of online gaming) and outlines the state of health of European casinos, considered a tourist driver for the territory that hosts them. Furthermore, he also talks about Italy, in the interview extract of which we offer a preview.
Italy bans advertising of legal gaming since 2018. What do you think of this provision?
“Italy’s prohibition on gambling advertising was a strong commitment to social responsibility and public health, reflecting circumstances pertaining to the Italian gambling market at that time. The intention behind this provision is commendable as it seeks to mitigate the harms associated with gambling addictions.
However, it also presents huge challenges for the industry, particularly for the nationally licensed and legal operators regarding customer acquisition and retention. It’s important to strike a balance between promoting responsible gaming and ensuring the sustainability of the licensed and regulated casino industry. A total ban will push many consumers, including the vulnerable younger generation, into the clutches of illegal online operators. A more nuanced advertising policy might be better equipped to avoid this scenario.”
Italy is no longer part of the Eca. What do you hope for this?
“While it’s unfortunate that Italy has decided not to remain part of the Eca in 2020, we respect their decision. However, we maintain open lines of communication and collaboration with Italy’s casino industry and hope that in the near future, Italy may reconsider its decision. Such a decision would recognise the benefits of being part of a broader European network dedicated to strengthening and promoting the casino sector. Italy as a country is an important and valuable member of the Eu and has been a valuable member of the Eca for many years. We, as the Eca, now represent 29 countries, 750 casinos and over 60.000 professional and dedicated employees across Europe. We believe that Italy should be part of this community. Italy hosts the oldest Casino in Europe, and for good reason, we look forward to celebrating Italy’s return to Eca membership at the nearest opportunity.”