Italian Supreme Court rejects state liability for gambling addiction

On 16 July 2026 the Italian Court of Cassazione (Supreme Court), in ruling No. 23339, dismissed a claim for compensation by a man who developed a gambling addiction after years of playing slot machines and chasing jackpots. The claimant argued that the Agenzia delle Dogane e dei Monopoli should have warned citizens about the risks of gambling addiction, and that the state's alleged omission caused his severe damages.

The Court ruled that at the time of the events there was no specific statutory duty for the administration to inform the public about gambling risks, and emphasized that choosing to gamble is a free and informed act of the citizen. It stated that the State is not a "Leviathan" responsible for supervising every personal activity and that adults cannot seek compensation for voluntarily incurred vices.