Consultation Deadline Approaching for Gambling Advertising in Italy

Italy's communications regulator AGCOM is gathering feedback on draft rules for non-gambling media brands linked to gambling operators. The regulation addresses situations in which these services may fall outside the country's advertising ban.

The draft changes cover the exemptions in the guidance AGCOM published in 2019 to enforce the gambling advertising ban. Decision 234/26/CONS, published on 22 October, provides for a 30-day consultation period. According to SBC News, submissions will close on 21 November. Submissions must be sent by certified email with a subject line that identifies the topic. Participants may also include reasoned proposals for changes to the draft. AGCOM plans to publish submissions and supporting documents, except where confidentiality is reasonably requested.

An activity requesting an exemption will need to be operated independently, have its own resources, and hold a registered trademark for non-gambling services. For editorial services, AGCOM will look for an identifiable news desk, a responsible editor, and original content that is updated regularly. Links, redirects, banners, and promotional codes that make it easier to access related gambling offers will disqualify the exemption. AGCOM will also take a closer look at sports sponsorships and paid placements. This review will examine whether the message and its context contain a link to gambling advertising.

The proposals are described as drafts, and the current gambling advertising ban remains in force. Parties requesting an oral hearing must submit their request at least ten days before the deadline. The request must be sent by certified email, and the regulator's media services office must be notified by email at the same time.