It has been reported that due to 'a liberalization of gaming regulations' in the country, standardbred racetracks have been forced to shut down in Italy.

A pair of reports by the BBC have helped shed light on the tough times the historic Italian industry is facing.

The first of the articles, which also includes a video report, states that four of the country's five harness raceways near Rome have already been forced to close.

In addition to the switch in Italian gaming regulations, the report also lists the sport's inability to attract new fans/handicappers as a major reason why it is finding itself in such peril.

The second of the articles has shed a bit of light on grand history of Italian harness racing and the desperate spot it currently finds itself in.