Italian gambling advertising will be restricted but not banned

Industry fears that Italian politicians were moving toward a ban on internet gambling advertising (see previous reports) have been assuaged by news coming from Italy’s House of Representatives that TV and radio advertisements will have limitations imposed, but no ban.

Lawmakers have approved a proposal this week that introduces some limitations by modifying the current rules on advertising. The measures – which are currently guidelines – will not come into effect until the proposal has been translated into hard regulations, a process that could take the issue well into 2014.

The latest developments follow a scare in early February when the Italian House of Representatives took the industry by surprise by supporting a motion for a television and radio ban on gambling advertisements.

However, it appears that after debating the issue the banning move has been diluted to restrictions that are broadly based on recommendations first presented by former finance vice-minister Luigi Casero. These propose restrictions in compliance with EU norms especially as regards the protection of the under aged and problem gamblers.

Online gambling comprises only 4 percent of the total Italian gambling market GGR, and Italian lawmakers are notoriously ill-informed on the subject