Gambling industry leaders debate regulation and illegal markets

Industry leaders and analysts are discussing the future of the legal gambling sector during the ‘Forbes Italia & SiGMA Talks – Vision 2030’ event in Rome. Experts emphasize that regulated gambling serves as a critical barrier against illegal markets.

Grainne Hurst, CEO of the Betting and Gaming Council (BGC), warned that total bans on gambling advertising could weaken consumer protections rather than strengthen them. She noted that legal operators follow strict rules, such as age verification and self-exclusion tools, which illegal sites do not. Hurst cited the Italian experience, where advertising bans have not prevented a significant illegal market from existing.

Emilio Zamparelli of the Sindacato Totoricevitori Sportivi (STS) argued that the physical retail network remains essential for accessibility and trust. He suggested that while the sector must innovate technologically, physical outlets are vital for promoting responsible gaming and maintaining a presence on the ground.

Angelo Caliendo of Eurispes added that public policies should be evaluated by their actual results, such as whether they effectively reduce addiction and combat crime. He noted that during the pandemic, the closure of physical gaming locations did not eliminate demand but instead pushed consumers toward illegal platforms.