Bad news came out from Italy’s Council of Ministers regarding the gambling industry. And the reason is that the advertisements are forbidden, something that is going to start on 1st January of 2019. The decision would have immediate effect, but time was given to the operators to comply with their contracts. The only products that are about to get an exclusion, is the state run lottery and its products.
It is noteworthy that Italy are the first country to outright ban gambling advertisements, while the United Kingdom will follow their lead, with Belgium are being ready to become stricter concerning registration towards local bookmakers. And that will happen in order to prevent minors and vulnerable people from gambling. Deputy Prime Minister looks eager to reduce the gambling problem within the territory. Mr Luigi Di Maio would like to bring in the ban sooner, but on the other hand, LOGICO, the body representing online operators in Italy, reacted on this.
“LOGiCO does not believe that this ban can produce positive effects in terms of player protection or reduce, and certainly not eliminate, the risks deriving from an uncontrolled practice of the game itself,”, they stated.