Playing cards at bars or other establishments open to the public constitutes an illegal activity only when the game played can be defined as gambling, i.e. when it is a game which, played for profit, is characterized by betting on the outcome of a future event.
According to art. 721 criminal code "games of chance are those in which the purpose of profit occurs and the gain or loss is entirely or almost entirely random".
The art. 720 criminal code punishes those who participate in gambling, punishing them with arrest of up to six months or with a fine of up to 516 euros.
The penalty is increased for anyone caught participating in gambling in a gambling house or public establishment.
Ultimately, playing cards at a bar, restaurant or other establishment open to the public is not prohibited except in the case in which it involves betting for lucrative purposes, integrating in this case the details of the crime of participating in games of chance
Written by Alessandro Klun
(@acenacondiritto)
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