The conference “The State of the Reform of Horse Betting”, organized to celebrate the 150th anniversary of the structure and on the occasion of the prestigious European Union Grand Prix, opened on June 28 at the Ghirlandina Hippodrome.

The event was inaugurated by a letter from the President of the Chamber of Deputies, Hon. Lorenzo Fontana, who defined horse racing as “an authentic cultural and economic heritage”, underlining the importance of the supply chain for the Italian economy. Fontana urged the institutions to support the sector with “concrete and coordinated measures”, to ensure a sustainable future.

Afterwards, a thank you to the secretary of the Democratic Party, Elly Schlein, replaced in presence by the Honorable Stefano Vaccari, and a letter with the voice of closeness to the sector and the project from the president of the Veneto Region, Luca Zaia, who from 8 May 2008 to 16 April 2010 also held the position of Minister of Agricultural Policies and has always been close to the world of horses for passion. — “A sector to be saved. Without betting we are destined to die”, Italian horse racing meets in Modena https://www.modenatoday.it/attualita/convegno-scommesse-ippica-modena-28-giugno-2025.html

The heart of the conference, however, took shape with the intervention of Alessandro Arletti, accountant and president of the historic “Modenese Society for the Fairs, Races and Horses Exhibition”. With strong words, Arletti highlighted the urgency of the reform:

“Without betting, Italian horse racing is destined to die”.

He highlighted how the betting system is not only an opportunity for entertainment, but represents a fundamental channel for the financing of the entire supply chain: breeders, farmers, coaches, drivers and many other professionals.

Objectives and institutional participations

The meeting aims to take stock of the results achieved to date and relaunch attention on the modernization of the trot-gallop sector, aiming for a more innovative, simplified and attractive offer. The conference sees the participation of prominent representatives of the political world:

· Hon. Daniela Dondi (Fratelli d’Italia)

· Hon. Stefano Vaccari (Democratic Party), substitute for the secretariat of the PD

· Hon. Rosaria Tassinari (Forza Italia)

· Hon. Marco Pellegrini (5 Star Movement)

· Hon. Laura Cavandoli (Lega)

The political presence confirms the transversal commitment to a reform that enhances the supply chain.

The main trade associations also made their contribution: among them Ipica Nuova, Consulta Ippica Proprietari, ANACT, Consulta Allevatori and the Italian Breeding Fund.

Key figures such as Silvio Borrello, coordinator of the guidelines for the protection of equids, and Giovanni Sibilio, lawyer representing the Equestrian Committee of Trotting Coaches and Drivers, were present.

Towards a shared reform

Arletti thanked the associations and parliamentarians, including the Hon. Paola De Micheli, for their support. The focus of the political-institutional table – which sees the involvement of the Ministry of Agriculture and the Customs and Monopolies Agency – is the definition of a shared reform, aimed at strengthening Italian horse racing not only as a sport, but also as a real economic-cultural flywheel.

In summary, a spotlight was lit in Modena on the destiny of national horse racing: a sector in which betting is the lifeblood. With a broad political front and reform proposals on the table, the conference is configured as a crucial moment to design the future of trotting and galloping in Italy.