Gambling and Social Identity in Basilicata. Analysis and Reflections on a Regional Case Study in Southern Italy

Abstract

This essay analyzes the phenomenon of gambling in the Basilicata Region, reconsidering the results of a recent sociological survey conducted between 2022 and 2024 (EnFor, 2024). The approach adopted integrates the bio-psycho-social paradigm with theories of gambling as a social practice (Gordon & Reith, 2019) and as a lifestyle connected to social capital (Bond et al., 2024). The survey highlights the widespread nature of gambling, with growing youth participation and cultural normalization that also involves minors. Gambling emerges as a means of economic, identity, and relational compensation, fueled by social networks, environmental vulnerabilities, and symbolic representations. The conclusions emphasize the need for integrated public policies that are attentive to gender differences and the criminogenic implications of the phenomenon.