Italy's AGCOM advances final stage of responsible gambling communication guidelines

The Council of Italy's communications regulator AGCOM placed on its agenda the review of the public consultation on the supplementary draft guidelines for responsible‑gambling communication campaigns. This marks the first formal step after a thirty‑day consultation that gathered comments from operators, media groups, trade associations and NGOs. The draft seeks to ensure that informational campaigns are based on scientific evidence, promote tools such as self‑exclusion and spending limits, and prohibit any use of attractive messages, jackpots, bonuses, brand logos, testimonials or influencers that could act as indirect advertising. It does not alter the existing ban on monetary‑winning gambling ads established by the Decree Dignità.

The guidelines are part of the broader overhaul of Italy's online gambling sector introduced by decree 41/2024. Industry observers, including Lottomatica and the Italian Gaming Industry Confederation (AGIC), note that completing the regulatory framework will affect the network of tobacco shops that traditionally host public gaming services, especially in smaller municipalities where they serve as key points of contact for local citizens.