The European Gaming and Betting Association (EGBA) has voiced its opposition to the proposed gambling advertising ban in Italy, warning that it will only serve to benefit unlicensed operators.
From Gaming Intelligence:
Read more here: http://www.gamingintelligence.com/le...dvertising-banResponding to the progress of legislation that will ban all gambling advertising in the country except for the national lottery, the industry association warned that Italian consumers would continue to be exposed to gambling advertising by illegal operators.
The EGBA said that it questions the practicality of introducing a total ban on advertising due to the cross-border nature of the internet and television, which means that Italian citizens will continue to see gambling advertising, except that those ads will advertise websites that are not licensed in Italy.
It added that the ban would also negatively impact Italian sport, which receives approximately €120m a year in sponsorship revenue from the gambling industry.
"This sponsorship is important to these teams and will be put in jeopardy," warned the EGBA. "That is why we have already seen a strong reaction from the Serie A to the proposal."