Democratic Party MPs Stefano Vaccari and Virginio Merola said they intend to support a League proposal to extend Italy’s ban on advertising games with cash prizes. They called for the bill to be scheduled in committee so debate and consideration can begin.
The proposal could broaden restrictions on commercial communications promoting gambling if enacted.
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Simone Franchi of Confindustria Radio Tv Locali said at a Milan Digital Week panel that Italy’s gambling advertising ban removed a whole category of revenue from local broadcasters. He said fear of sanctions can also deter stations from airing some communications that remain permitted, while local media could contribute to information and prevention efforts.
Umberto Calcagno, president of the Italian footballers’ association AIC, told a Senate hearing that the betting-advertising ban had cost Serie A about €100m in sponsorships. He argued that betting-related messaging remains visible around matches and said the association discusses gambling risks with professional teams. Calcagno also described concern about gambling among people aged 18 to 35.
Italy defended the Decreto Dignità gambling advertising ban before the Court of Justice of the European Union. In proceedings brought by LeoVegas Gaming, the government argued that the ban constitutes a public health measure rather than a rule governing online services.
PD deputy Stefano Vaccari, party secretary Elly Schlein and other party members submitted a parliamentary question to Italy’s Ministry of Enterprises and Made in Italy, reportedly. They asked what steps the ministry would take to ensure Rai continued to exclude gambling advertising after the 2023–2028 service contract dropped an explicit commitment to do so.
Democratic Party deputies withdrew a parliamentary question filed on 7 October about gambling supply growth and approval for six online instant-win national lotteries. The question had asked the government whether it would revoke an authorisation issued by the Customs and Monopolies Agency, citing first-quarter 2026 stakes and player spending; a separate question on the subject was due for consideration in the Chamber of Deputies’ Finance Committee on 4 November.
Deputies of the Democratic Party have withdrawn a parliamentary question they filed on 7 October. The question concerned the growth of gambling supply and the authorisation of six new national instant-win lotteries with remote participation.