Serie A president Ezio Simonelli told a parliamentary hearing that Italy’s ban covers gambling-related advertising, including logos on sports shirts. MP Mauro Berruto replied that 12 teams had circumvented the restrictions by displaying brands linked to gambling and betting.
The exchange raises claims about how Italy’s gambling advertising restrictions apply to football sponsorship and branding.
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The Italian Chamber of Deputies’ Culture Committee rejected two amendments to the bill converting Decree-Law 108/2026, according to reports. One proposal tied public benefits and awards to compliance with restrictions on gambling advertising and sponsorship; the other proposed betting tax rates of 21% for retail and 25% for online betting, with at least €13 million a year in additional revenue directed to football and harm-prevention initiatives. The amendments had received a negative opinion from the rapporteur.
Corecom Lombardia vice-president Marianna Sala said gambling-prevention messages can be difficult to distinguish from promotion during a Milano Digital Week event. She cited Italy’s advertising ban and referred to AGCOM’s 2026 public consultation and resolution 200/26/CONS on prohibited gambling advertising.
Massimiliano Dona, president of Italy’s National Consumers’ Union, called for physical distances from gambling venues and controls on advertising at a Senate event about the proposed gambling-sector reform. He said the finance ministry’s new draft had not been officially released and argued that its publication was needed for detailed review and amendments.
LOGiCO president Moreno Marasco has called for Italy to replace its blanket gambling advertising ban with rules that prohibit targeted practices. Marasco said the ban has reduced licensed operators’ visibility while illegal alternatives remain exposed to consumers.
Moreno Marasco, who heads Lega Operatori di Gioco su canale Online (LOGiCO), is urging that a new framework take the place of Italy’s blanket ban on gambling advertising.
Former Italian Football Federation president Gabriele Gravina has proposed suspending Italy’s ban on gambling advertising and sponsorship, according to a report on his 11-page document. Presented on 8 April, the document also proposes directing betting revenue to youth football and restructuring the league system. The parliamentary hearing intended to consider it was cancelled after Gravina left the federation presidency.