Italy’s gambling sector continues to thrive, projected to exceed 160 billion euros in spending in 2023, overshadowing expenditures on health and education. As the government, led by Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, plans to expand gambling offerings while cutting anti-addiction funding by 50 million euros, concerns about escalating gambling addiction affect over 1.5 million Italians. Sociologist Maurizio Fiasco warns that the lack of regulation exacerbates the addiction epidemic, while public debates on the budget for 2025 gain momentum without addressing these critical issues.