Coffee shops and slot machines

I just returned from a two-weeks vacation in Italy where I collected plenty of new material for future podcasts and blog postings.
One of the emerging trends that I've been witnessing is the proliferation of slot machines (called New Slots) in Italian coffee shops (Bars).
Gambling is a heavily regulated activity in Italy. State laws have severely constrained the number of casinos on the territory. Nevertheless, many Italians keep fueling the flourishing business of state-run bingos and instant scratch games, such as Totocalcio, Gratta e Vinci, Enalotto and more.
The New Slots are an affordable way to pursue this thrill on a budget. The maximum bet is Euro 1 and you can cash out up to Euro 50 (slated to double next year to Euro 100). The chances to win are also extremely low. Overall, a bad deal across the board even if you feel homesick of your recent trip to Vegas.