The Italian Senate has unanimously passed an amendment to a government finance bill that will ban all gambling-related radio and television advertising.
The amendment, which now goes to the House of Representatives for consideration, was introduced by Socialist Party Senator Riccardo Nencini as part of an effort to combat problem gambling, although the senator also cast the approval in political terms, calling it a “victory for the Socialist Party”.
“The government expressed itself in opposition during the debate, then changed its mind and shared our arguments,” he said. “It’s a success for the whole Socialist delegation. A direct shot at interest groups.”
The amendment was attached to a broader bill that was approved by the House in September to address issues in Italy’s fiscal system as well as certain rules pertaining to horseracing and slot machines.
Should the ban be implemented, it could negatively effect the country’s online poker industry, which is struggling with low volumes and high taxes and is facing double-digit revenue declines.
