Italy prohibits promotion of gambling.
Italy's government is introducing a country-wide prohibition on gambling promotion. This law update is expected to go into effect in June 2019. Along with this, numerous foreign online gambling providers' licenses won't be renewed after their expiration. The sector warns of a rise in the unlawful online sector.
The ruling coalition government, which has been in power since June's start, included this ban on gambling promotion as part of a "Legislative Declaration for Human Dignity." This ban applies to all gambling-related marketing activities on television, radio, and the internet, as well as sports, culture, and entertainment events. Soccer gambling sponsorships are also to be prohibited.
According to the new legislation, only the Italian gambling regulatory authority AAMS (Amministrazione Autonoma dei Monopoli di Stato) - which also awards gambling permits for Italy's market - will be permitted to advertise the Italian national lottery.
Gambling operators with current contracts for advertising will only be allowed to promote their services until their license's expiration, but all advertisements from all providers must end by June 2019. It will no longer be possible to renew any licenses ahead of time.
However, AAMS claims this isn't a complete ban on gambling but rather a "prohibition of public promotion." Several major European gambling providers, like Pokerstars, Bet365, Luckia, Lottomatica, and Videoslots, have already been given licenses extending to the end of 2022 for a €200,000 fee. However, these providers are still not allowed to advertise.
The dignity decree was initiated to battle a gambling addiction crisis in Italy, as per the Italian media. The discussion over a potential gambling ad ban has been a significant part of Italy's political scene in the last few months.
Specifically, Deputy Prime Minister Luigi Di Maio (Five Star Movement), serving as Minister for Economic Development, Labor, and Social Policy since June's start, has battled with several industry representatives, including LeoVegas Italy's General Director Niklas Lindah, on the ad ban's supposed efficacy.
Expansion of the illegal sector?
With the implementation of this law, Italy's gambling industry is wary that the advertisement ban will push players to fraudulent, unlicensed gambling websites, which are aggressively marketed by affiliates and offer no regulatory oversight.
Furthermore, the Italian gambling sector association LOGiCO indicates the ban would also "irreversibly sink legitimate and legal operators." LOGiCO President Moreno Marasco stated:
"The government's goal to curb gambling addiction is laudable, appropriate, and honorable. If only the flawed implementation didn't move in the opposite direction - prohibiting all legal, lawful operators from distancing themselves from the horde of unlawful operators who thrive due to unresolved regulatory loopholes."
Recently, Marasco was open to modifying gambling advertisements in collaboration with the government. It's unclear how much impact LOGiCO's concession will have on Parliament.
Read also:
- Columbia University Faces Possible Expulsion Following Demonstrations
- Football turmoil in Munich: Last-minute penalty stuns Bayern
- Steinmeier Faces Backlash Over "Expert Caliber" Remark
- US State Department Lacks Own Standards in Regard to Israel
Source: www.onlinecasinosdeutschland.com
