Italy's AGCOM Issues Urgent Call for Feedback on Gambling Ad Exemptions

Italy’s Communications Regulatory Authority (AGCOM) has issued a final call for stakeholder feedback on a consultation concerning potential exemptions to the country’s blanket ban on gambling advertising. The regulator is specifically examining the “cumulative conditions under which activities using brands linked to gambling licenses could fall outside Italy’s advertising ban.”

The consultation aims to bring greater transparency to the existing advertising rules and guidelines. AGCOM has previously signalled its awareness of the need to clarify how brand-linked promotions might legally operate without violating the general prohibition on gambling ads.

Stakeholders are now being asked to submit their views urgently, as the consultation window is closing. The outcome could have significant implications for operators and affiliates seeking to promote licensed gambling brands within Italy’s strict regulatory framework.

Italy’s gambling advertising ban, introduced in 2018 (the so-called “Dignity Decree”), prohibits all forms of advertising, sponsorship, and promotion of gambling activities. However, the law allows for limited exceptions, and AGCOM’s current consultation seeks to define those boundaries more precisely.

The regulator’s move reflects ongoing efforts to balance consumer protection with the legitimate commercial interests of licensed operators. Industry participants are advised to respond promptly to ensure their perspectives are considered in the final rulemaking.