Italy's Agcom approves strict responsible gambling guidelines

Italy's communications regulator, Agcom, has approved an integrative act updating the guidelines for responsible‑gambling communication campaigns. The new rules tighten restrictions on the use of testimonials, logos and brand references, require messages to focus on prevention and protection tools such as self‑exclusion, and forbid any direct or indirect promotion of gambling, bonuses, jackpots or prizes. The full text will be published next week following a public consultation that gathered over 30 written contributions and more than 20 hearings.

At the same time, Minister Bordignon emphasised that gambling disorders affect whole families, urging the Parliament to recognise families as a specific protected group in anti‑gambling policies. He called for the re‑establishment of a national gambling‑disorder observatory, a dedicated prevention fund, stronger regional and municipal roles, youth‑education programmes and impact‑assessment of new gambling measures. The minister highlighted the sharp rise in gambling turnover, which reached €45.44 billion in the first quarter of 2026, and urged that health and family wellbeing take precedence over fiscal revenue.