Working to cut problem gambling
Italy’s Council of Ministers has signed off on the country’s new “Dignity Decree,” which will ban gaming ads starting next January 1.
According to Casino News Daily, the legislation written by Deputy Prime Minister Luigi Di Maio will also put an end to sponsorships of football and other sports clubs. The decree stipulates that “any form” of gambling advertising, “even indirect, is prohibited; however carried out and on any means, including sporting, cultural or artistic events, television or radio broadcasts, daily and periodical press, general publications, billboards and internet.”
Di Maio hopes the move will help to reduce problem gambling in the country; it makes Italy the first European country to completely ban the advertising of gambling and gaming-related products and services.
There is a caveat in the bill, however; according to CalvinAyre.com, the final draft of the bill included an exemption for operators, media outlets and sports bodies “in progress at the date of entry into force of this decree,” in other words, those already doing business. National deferred lotteries will also be exempt from the ban.
