That's over three times the number of jobs Italy generated in the three months ended in January. Tax revenue from state lotteries surged 51 percent last year, compared with about a 7 percent increase in overall tax revenue. Italian gamblers spent 33.9 trillion lire on various forms of state lotteries and betting, up from 26.6 trillion in 1998, pouring 20 trillion lire into state coffers. The passion for gambling, along with a rising chorus of complaints about Italy's tax rate, is encouraging the government to take the path of least resistance. The national lottery now is drawn twice a week instead of once.
People can even play the lottery by phone.
And new games, such as betting on Formula 1 racing, are publicised in nationwide television advertising campaigns. However, Italians now spend about 50 trillion lire a year on both legal and illegal lotteries, and many economists claim that the introduction of bingo will have them digging into their pockets for more. That, they say is not good news for the economy. Dolomiten and Eurispes Research Institute. Public Security Minister Serge Menard released a report Wednesday on the ailing industry.