Italy considering banning gambling ads before midnight

Italian authorities are considering banning all gambling-related TV commercials before midnight as part of a move to strengthen its advertising laws, the country’s economic undersecretary has warned.

According to Pier Paolo Baretta, Italian economic undersecretary, a total ban on gambling advertising is not likely to be considered but a blanket ban on TV advertising before 12am is one option being looked at.

“I cannot imagine a complete ban on the advertising of the game, but on the spot you can discuss the removal of commercials until midnight,” Beretta told Italian press yesterday.

However, speaking to eGaming Review this morning, Giulio Coraggio, head of the Italian gambling practice at DLA Piper said any significant tightening of gambling advertising restrictions could prompt operators into taking legal action.

“My general feeling is that such initiative is very unlikely to be approved and should it be approved it would give rise to massive court claims,” Coraggio said.

“Gaming operators hold a licence lasting for nine years and if they are basically prevented from advertising their product this would impair their investments leading to potential disputes.

“The government is aware of this and also the European Commission advised them that any stringent restriction of gambling advertising will not be backed up by them,” he added.

At present, operators can advertise throughout the day as long as they don’t run commercials 30 minutes before or after shows which are addressed to children.

Last year’s Italy’s third biggest political party, Movimento 5 Stelle, said it wanted gambling-related advertisements scrapped altogether, a move which would cost the advertising industry approximately €80m per year.