Italian Football Federation defends end to law banning betting sponsorship.

Gabriele Gravina released an 11-page report advocating for the repeal of the Dignity Decree, legislation that prohibits gambling advertising in Italian football. The document was presented on April 8th. Gravina resigned as president of the Italian Football Federation (FIGC) after the national team failed to qualify for the World Cup for the third consecutive time.

The former president argues that the restriction in place since 2019 has failed to reduce compulsive gambling. The report points out that the ban has diverted essential investments from Italian football. According to information released by News Bitcoin , the discussion about repealing the legislation is gaining momentum amidst the growth of the online betting market in the country, which moves billions of euros annually. Gravina proposes channeling betting revenues towards the development of youth categories.

The document was originally prepared for a parliamentary hearing. The hearing was cancelled after Gravina left the presidency of the FIGC.

Proposals include restructuring the league pyramid.

The report presents a set of measures to reform professional football in Italy. The proposals include channeling a percentage of betting revenue to grassroots programs, academies, and stadium construction.

The text suggests reinstating the tax regime of the "Growth Decree" for foreign professionals. The document proposes suspending the ban on advertising and sponsorship. Restructuring the league's pyramid, from Serie A to Serie D, is also among the measures.

The report presents Italy's consecutive failures to qualify for the World Cup as consequences of structural problems. Gravina argues that the problems do not stem from inadequate short-term management.

The governing coalition approved the legislation in 2018.

The Dignity Decree was introduced in 2018 by the coalition government between the Lega and the Five Star Movement. The measure was part of a broader package of labor and poverty reduction policies.

The legislation imposed a near-total ban on gambling advertising and sports sponsorships. The ban went into effect in 2019. The governing coalition responsible for the law dissolved in less than a year. The advertising ban remained in place. The measure has been controversial since its passage.

Parliamentary committee found an increase in compulsive gambling.

Gravina bases his proposal on data indicating the failure of the Dignity Decree to curb compulsive gambling. The final report of the Italian Parliamentary Inquiry Commission on illegal gambling was released in 2022. The document found that gambling increased after the ban came into effect.

The parliamentary report identified growth even among minors. Illegal betting also increased during the same period. The FIGC report cites this document as evidence that the restriction did not achieve its public health objectives.

Annual sponsorship losses reach 150 million euros.

Serie A clubs estimate losses of at least 100 to 150 million euros annually in sponsorship revenue since the Dignity Decree came into effect in 2019. Italian professional football accumulates collective losses exceeding 700 million euros per year in aggregate operating losses.

The losses are compounded by high levels of debt. Recent history includes clubs that have collapsed or been excluded from competitions.

Betting companies lead sponsorships in Europe.

A 2026 UEFA study on the finances of European clubs identified betting and gambling companies as the most common category of shirt sponsors across the continent. The FIGC report referenced this study to highlight the competitive disadvantage faced by Italian clubs.

Some teams have circumvented the restrictions through infotainment partnerships with gambling subsidiaries. Inter Milan's deal with Betsson Sport is the most prominent example of this strategy. These deals fall far short of the total value of traditional sponsorship deals.

Only 1,9% of the minutes are played by young Italians.

Italy ranks 49th out of 50 monitored leagues in terms of the percentage of minutes played by players under 21 years old eligible for the national team. The percentage is only 1,9%. Foreign players account for 68% of all minutes played in Serie A. These data are included in Gravina's report as indicators of the structural problems in Italian football.

Sports Minister proposes tax on sponsorship revenue.

The Minister of Sport, Andrea Abodi, described the Decree of Dignity as a “crude populist tool.” Abodi was tasked with developing an alternative. The minister ran against Gravina for the presidency of the FIGC in 2018. Abodi publicly called for Gravina's resignation after his defeat to Bosnia.

Last year, Abodi presented a Sports Decree that included provisions to repeal the advertising ban. The proposal envisions a 1% tax on sponsorship revenue earmarked for stadium renovations, women's and grassroots sports, and addiction prevention programs.

Regulatory body establishes guidelines for responsible advertising.

AGCOM, Italy's communications regulator, approved new guidelines for responsible gambling advertising at the end of March. The guidelines establish a restricted framework under which licensed operators can conduct brand campaigns on responsible gambling without violating the existing ban.

The 30-day consultation period should be completed before the summer. The measure could create a bridge between the current ban and the replacement legislation.

Illegal gambling generates 25 billion euros per year.

The European Gaming and Betting Association argued in October 2023 that the Dignity Decree has actively aided the black market. The statement was made in response to an investigation by La Gazzetta dello Sport . The association cited estimates of €25 billion in unlicensed betting annually in Italy.

The organization also estimated that offshore operators lose around 1 billion euros in gross gaming revenue each year.

Operator licensing generated 365 million euros.

Italy's Customs and Monopolies Agency has approved 46 operators for the country's new online gambling licensing regime by the end of 2025. The process generated €365 million in direct revenue. This figure exceeded the government's projected range. Gross revenue from online gambling is expected to surpass €5,5 billion by the end of 2026.

Substitute legislation faces political resistance.

Legislation to formally replace the Dignity Decree has not yet been presented to parliament. The sponsorship reform enjoys broad political support. The easing of restrictions on television and digital advertising is expected to face stronger resistance from public health groups and opposition parties such as the Five Star Movement and the Democratic Party.

The election for successor will take place in June.

Gravina was elected president of the FIGC in October 2018. The former president oversaw Italy's triumph at Euro 2020. Gravina also presided over the country's failure to qualify for the 2022 and 2026 World Cups.

Coach Gennaro Gattuso and general manager Gianluigi Buffon also resigned after the defeat to Bosnia. Gravina's successor will be elected on June 22.