Italian surprise as advertising restrictions on gambling gain traction

Taking many Italian industry observers by surprise this week, an amendment introducing restrictions on television and radio advertising for real-money gambling games was unanimously approved in the Italian Senate during a debate on a broader fiscal and gambling bill.

The amendment was the work of Senator Ricardo Nencini, a representative of the Italian Socialist Party who said his motivation was to reduce the risk of compulsive gambling.

Nencini appeared a little surprised at his success, commenting later that despite government opposition at first, the government had in the end supported his amendment. He claimed that his measure was compatible with European Union principles in the fight against the dangers of problem gambling.

Because Nencini’s amendment changes the original bill approved by the Italian House of Representatives in September last year, the legislation will now have to return to the House for a third reading, reports the poker information publication Poker News.

Analysts have noted that whilst the bill does not specifically mention online gambling, it could be construed as part of the sector the measure seeks to restrict, and could therefore present difficulties for Italian internet and mobile operators in a business environment already troubled by high taxation and low player liquidity..

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