During its board meeting on March 18, the Italian Communications Regulatory Authority will approve a policy document to clarify how to communicate responsible gaming, an option included in the reorganization of the Italian iGaming sector.
Changes are coming to gaming advertising in Italy. Following the previews we reported on these pages, the agenda for the next Agcom (Communications Regulatory Authority) board meeting on March 18 now includes a policy document specifying what can and cannot be done to carry out legal communication on responsible gaming, according to information obtained by ItalianGamingNews.it. In the reorganization of online gaming, which is already operational and moving toward full implementation of the new rules for licensees, there is both an obligation and an opportunity to promote the sector under this important aspect.
Following the entry into force of the new rules, it became necessary to harmonize the total ban on advertising imposed by the Dignity Decree with the opening up of this type of communication. An initial document had been prepared at the end of the previous year to propose an update to the Guidelines developed by the Authority itself in 2019 to interpret and regulate the requirements of the Dignity Decree, specifically in light of the subsequent Legislative Decree No. 41 on the reorganization of online gaming. However, the board did not approve that text, which has now been re-evaluated in a different form—specifically, as a policy document. This is a “lighter” measure, but one that will still establish the boundaries of what can (or cannot) actually be done regarding the responsible gaming communication permitted by the reorganization decree.
A policy document is a political-administrative or strategic measure through which a public administration defines orientations, general criteria, and guidelines for its future activities or those of the entities under its regulation. Therefore, such a measure does not directly regulate specific cases or create immediately binding obligations for external recipients, but serves to guide the administrative and interpretive actions of the Authority.
As mentioned, Agcom will further clarify how to carry out communication by addressing a series of aspects to guide operators and avoid misunderstandings, embarrassment, and above all, sanctions which are known to reach 5 or 6 figures. An initial rumor suggests that certain types of testimonials, such as registered soccer players, will be prohibited.
These important topics will be discussed during a panel at the Italian Gaming Expo and Conference scheduled for April 14-15 in Rome, specifically on the second day of the event. One of the speakers will be an official from Agcom, who will be able to provide direct clarification to the public and operators during the discussion.
