Italy’s Autorità per le Garanzie nelle Comunicazioni (Agcom), which regulates ads and communications, has fined Google €700,000 (US$713,114) for breaking the law on gambling ads.
The ads appeared on Top Ads’ Spike YouTube. Google is the parent company of YouTube, and this is the first time Agcom has imposed a fine on a video service provider for violating the gaming ad ban which is called the “dignity decree.”
As a “verified partner” of Spike, Google is considered responsible for what it allows.
The ad ban has created difficulties for Italy’s football clubs, many of which had sponsorships with gaming operators. The sports clubs say they are losing money and have asked the government to relax the ban.
