The four casinos in Italy are pressuring the government to delay implementation of the European Money Laundering Directive, due to go into effect on April 30.

The measure requires casinos to identify all players who exchange money to play at the casinos, no matter how small the amount.

The Italian casino association, Federgioco, appealed to outgoing Primer Minister Romano Prodi to push back the deadline. The association claims the government is under no obligation to implement the regulations at that time.

Joining the chorus is Venice Mayor Massimo Cacciari, whose city hosts the nation’s most successful casino, in a letter to two other government officials. He believes the economic stability of Venice is at stake if the regs are allowed to be implemented.