Italian Professional League, Serie A, Pushes for Lifting of Banning Sponsorship Deals with Gambling Companies
In a recent twist, Italy's controversial gambling advertising ban is teetering on the edge of repeal. Critics have pointed out the ban's shortcomings, with Italy's thriving black-market gambling industry reportedly raking in a staggering $26bn yearly.
The stage is set for a debate in the Italian Parliament, following the Senate's endorsement of a resolution on March 5. This resolution granted The Chamber of Deputies the permission to discuss lifting the Dignity Decree of 2018.
Among those joining the discussion is Serie A President Ezio Simonelli. For any changes to take effect, the government will need to amend existing laws. Negotiations are underway to determine the specifics of these amendments.
Serie A teams, such as AC Milan and Roma, have been vocal critics of the ban. Since its implementation in 2018, the ban is estimated to have cost Italian soccer around €100m annually. The financial repercussions have been evident – a combined income decline of €350m for the 2023/2024 season for these teams alone.
Tackling this financial crisis is a top priority for Simonelli, who took over from his predecessor Lorenzo Casini in December. Despite the urgency, there is currently no timeline for the presentation of the first draft of the new legislation, tentatively named the Gambling Sponsorship Decree.
While specifics of the proposed Gambling Sponsorship Decree remain elusive, the ongoing saga raises several interesting questions. Will the Italian Parliament reconsider the ban's merits? Could the European Court of Justice's ruling on the ban's compatibility with EU law potentially lead to changes that might allow some form of gambling advertising or sponsorship? And, to what extent might Italy's broader shift towards safer gambling practices influence future sponsorship deals? Only time will tell as the drama unfolds.
The broader gaming industry is watching closely as the battle for Italy's gambling advertising landscape heats up, with potential repercussions for other EU nations. The ECJ's ruling on the ban's legitimacy promises to shape the gambling advertising landscape, not just in Italy, but across Europe.
- In the upcoming discussions, Serie A President Ezio Simonelli, along with teams like AC Milan and Roma, will express agreement on the need to reconsider the gambling advertising ban in Italy.
- The estimated financial impact of the ban on Italian soccer, at around €100m annually, has led to a combined income decline of €350m for teams like AC Milan and Roma in the 2023/2024 season.
- The potential repeal of the gambling advertising ban will require amendments to existing laws, with ongoing negotiations aiming to determine the specifics of these amendments.
- The ongoing debate over the gambling advertising ban and its potential reconsideration in Italy could have repercussions for other European leagues and nations, as the European Court of Justice's ruling on the ban's compatibility with EU law is keenly anticipated.
