Italy has chugged along for years with its four licensed casinos while outside developers sought a way into the market. Now a government minister wants to see more casinos, especially in the south.

Tourism Minister Vittoria Brambilla would like to see new casinos in Italy, in five-star hotels and elsewhere, according to an article from Reuters.

The agency quotes the minister's spokeswoman as saying that part of the idea is to give support to the tourism industry in the country's southern regions. All four of Italy's existing casinos are in the north.

A former casino in Taormina, Sicily, would be one property put forward for reopening. Local authorities would have to give the OK to open casinos in hotels.

The wording of the minister's proposal to the government was being worked on in the final week of October.

By GGB Staff

Staff writers for Global Gaming Business magazine. Las Vegas, Nevada.