ROMA (ITALPRESS) – The Azzardo Game Disorder is a real behavioral dependence, with clinical, psychological and social relapses. From here the meeting started at the Fiera di Rimini on the occasion of Enada Primavera 2026, where the comparison between specialists, institutional representatives and operators of the sector focused on prevention and tools to promote greater self-awareness. “Use the Head”, free and anonymous mobile app, is designed to offer self-assessment tests, timers, information content and access to local support services. The Disorder of Game of Azzardo is now part of the area of behavioral dependencies and therefore requires to be addressed not only on the social or regulatory level, but also as a public health issue. The ISTISAN Report 19/28 of the Istituto Superiore di Sanità, published in 2019 on data from 2017, reports that 36.4% of the Italian adult population, amounting to about 18.4 million people, declared that they had been gambling with money at least once in the previous 12 months. “The gambling disorder is recognized as a behavioral dependence and represents a relevant topic on the clinical and social level – notes Gianluca Bruti, President EurekAcademy ETS, doctor of research in neuroscience and maxillofacial surgery University La Sapienza, Rome – at least 60% of Italians have gaming experience, while over a million people would present problematic forms. This can no longer be relegated to public and health debates. Simple and accessible digital tools can provide a useful support for prevention, helping people develop greater awareness of their behaviors and direct themselves, if necessary, towards services and support paths. Awareness is the first step to distinguish between responsible play and pathological behavior.” One of the messages recommended by specialists concerns the need to move attention to prevention, helping people early recognize risk signals, dysfunctional habits and progressive loss of control. In this it can help “Use the Head”, mobile app developed as a simple, immediate and completely anonymous tool, without registration and without collection of personal data, reserved for users aged. The app collects in a single digital environment a series of awareness-oriented functions: self-assessment tests, practical tips, timers to monitor gaming time, consultation of information content, useful contacts and geolocation of SerDs and listening desks. Among the central elements is the Anonymous Test based on the Problem Gambling Severity Index, which allows you to return a first frame in four risk profiles. Next to this, the app highlights free support resources, including the National Green Number of the Higher Institute of Health and the territorial references of the SerD, the green number of the Konsumer Italia Association, with the aim of transforming the smartphone into a simple access point to valid information and orientation channels. In addition, additional functions such as information chatbots and edutainment content are planned in later releases. “With ‘Usa la Testà we wanted to make available to people a concrete, immediate and accessible tool, designed to accompany the relationship with the game more consciously – explains Mara Di Lecce, Director Communication and Marketing Novomatic Italia – The goal is to offer a simple and anonymous support that promotes information, self-awareness and orientation. We have chosen light technology, not invasive, usable independently, precisely because prevention also passes by the ability toknow how to read their behaviors but also know where to find help, if necessary”. The message in favor of the responsible game was underlined by Walter Zenga, historic goalkeeper and coach, today Ambassador of NOVOMATIC Italy, and the parliamentarians intervened, Elena Murelli, of the 10th Commission (Social affairs, health, public and private work, social security) of the Senate, who spoke of the protection of the players, and Saverio Congedo, of the 6th Commission (Finances) of the Chamber, which analyzed the importance of the game and operators. “In my career I learned that true success arises from balance: between instinct and discipline, between passion and awareness – said Zenga – Usa la Testa helps maintain this balance, just like a good coach or a united team do with an athlete. Being Ambassador means putting my experience at the service of a simple but fundamental message: the game can be a moment of fun, but only if lived with awareness. And accompanying the players on this path is a responsibility that we share all.” The commitment against the Azzardo Game Disorder through technology will be renewed with another initiative that will take place in Rome next May 13. A new opportunity of comparison in which the various stakeholders involved will be able to define objectives and strategies accessible through these new tools.
– Diessecom press office photos –(ITALPRESS).
