Italy Eyes Gambling Sponsorship Return as Football Federation Links Ad Ban to Structural Decline
Italy's football federation president proposed lifting the ban on gambling advertising to boost funding and address structural issues within Italian football.Summary
Outgoing Italian Football Federation (FIGC) president Gabriele Gravina has advocated for repealing the 2019 ban on gambling advertising, arguing it has failed to curb problem gambling while simultaneously depriving Italian football of vital investment. In an 11-page report, Gravina links Italy’s recent failures to qualify for the World Cup to structural decay exacerbated by the advertising ban, citing an estimated €100-€150 million in lost sponsorship revenue for Serie A clubs annually. The report highlights a decline in youth development, with Italy ranking low in playing time for under-21 players, and points to the competitive disadvantage faced by Italian clubs compared to those in other European leagues. Gravina proposes redirecting betting revenue into youth programs and infrastructure, while Sports Minister Andrea Abodi also supports revising the current regulations, viewing the ban as a “blunt populist tool.” Despite broad political support for sponsorship reform, easing advertising restrictions is expected to face opposition from public health groups.
(Source：Bitcoin News)