Italy to Ban Advertising on Betting

Italian online gambling regulator AAMS will implement the Balduzzi Law in January, after releasing new guidelines last week which effectively ban the use of promotional materials which advertise betting.

Balduzzi Decree

Under the final guidelines of the law proposed by Health Minister Renato Balduzzi, publicity concerning all types of games which involve betting will be prohibited. This is in addition to other components of the law which restrict the sale of tobacco products and video poker, among other things.

Regarding promotion of gambling, the guidelines prohibit: direct commercial, audiovisual and radio advertising which encourages Italians to buy or participate in gaming activities such as lotteries, competitions with prizes, sports betting, new lot or other online activities in which cash prizes are determined by chance.

State of Italian online gambling

Italy is actually one of the most progressive countries in Europe when it comes to online gambling, although full implementation of reforms has taken some time. The new launch date for online slots in Italy in December 3, 2012, which was announced together with the release of new guidelines on casino games by AAMS.

Online gaming operators can apply for online slots licenses, but cash poker and other casino games will be restricted for the time being for the sake of competition. On the first and third Mondays in Decembers, operators will be permitted to launch online video slot games which have AAMS approval.