In a rare display of legislative unity, deputies from Italy’s Democratic Party (PD) have signaled their support for a new bill that would significantly broaden the nation’s restrictions on gambling-related communications.
The proposal seeks to extend the existing ban to cover all commercial promotion of any product offering cash prizes, representing a major escalation in the country’s harm-reduction strategy.
Broadening the Scope of the Dignity Decree
The bill, originally introduced by Silvana Comaroli of the Lega party, aims to close perceived loopholes in the 2018 Dignity Decree. If passed, it would prohibit any form of marketing or advertising tied to gambling services that provide monetary rewards, effectively eliminating a wide swath of commercial activity that had previously operated in a grey zone.
Italy’s Democratic Party deputies Stefano Vaccari and Virginio Merola officially backed the measure, citing public health as the primary motivator. In a joint statement, the deputies emphasized the need for political accountability:
“On issues like these, we have said since the beginning of the legislature that there should be no party divisions, but rather a sense of institutional responsibility, balance and accountability. For this reason, despite political differences, we believe it is right to support initiatives that serve the general interest of the country.”
Tension with the Football Sector
This legislative push for stricter rules arrives as the Italian football sector intensifies its lobbying for the exact opposite outcome. Serie A clubs have repeatedly called for a repeal or significant easing of the Dignity Decree, arguing that the current advertising ban places Italian football at a severe financial disadvantage compared to other European leagues where betting sponsorships remain a lucrative revenue stream.
To bridge this gap, club executives have proposed alternative funding models, including a 1% levy on all football-related wagers to be redirected into the sport’s development. However, the current cross-party alignment suggests that lawmakers are prioritizing social safeguards over the immediate financial concerns of the professional sports industry.
Unified National Framework
Beyond the advertising ban, the Italian government is also finalizing a separate decree to establish a unified national framework for land-based gambling. This initiative is designed to resolve the long-standing regulatory fragmentation across Italy’s various regions, creating a more consistent and manageable landscape for operators and regulators alike.
