The Chamber of Deputies has begun debates at the Palazzo on whether to amend or annul the rules of the Dignity Decree of 2018, which bans gambling sponsorships in Italian sports.

The first step toward revising the Dignity Decree follows the Senate’s Culture Commission, which endorsed a March 5 resolution aimed at helping Italian football.

However, the Senate’s endorsement does not equate to passing a law. Instead, it requires the Deputies to discuss the impact of the Dignity Decree’s sponsorship ban, which has been in effect since 2019.

For any changes to take effect, the government must determine the terms of a new decree, which will either annul or modify the gambling-related laws of the Dignity Decree. These laws were introduced by the short-lived Lega Nord and 5Star coalition government as a federal mandate.

As a result, negotiations have begun on drafting new rules under a “Decree on Gambling Sponsorships.” However, the scope of the decree will be limited only to sponsorships and will not include changes to the broader gambling advertising ban or other gambling restrictions imposed by the Dignity Decree.

The first stage of negotiations will be led by Minister Maurizio Leo, Deputy Minister of the Economy and Finance, alongside Sports Minister Andrea Abodi. They are set to meet Serie A league officials, led by newly elected President Ezio Simonelli.

Since 2019, Serie A football clubs have criticised the federal application of the Dignity Decree, arguing that it bypassed legislative requirements. The decree is estimated to have cost the football industry at least €100 million annually, with clubs struggling to compete financially with Europe’s top leagues.

The negotiations for a new decree are seen as an early test for Ezio Simonelli as the new President of Serie A. Italy’s top football league is currently facing a funding crisis, with clubs reporting a total income decline of €350 million for the 2023/2024 season.

League officials have called for a review of Serie A’s financial model, which they deem unsustainable due to high player salaries, rising club debt, and insufficient investment in youth development.

The fragile state of Italian football has been acknowledged by Sports Minister Abodi, who aims to introduce a new sponsorship decree that includes a “1% betting allocation fee.” This fee would be used to modernize Italian football stadiums, support women’s soccer, and improve grassroots facilities and youth systems.

The mandate to review the Dignity Decree has received widespread support in the Chamber of Deputies, where ministers have recognized the decree’s failure to protect Italian consumers from illegal gambling.

However, despite its favorability, the Senate’s decision has been criticized by the 5Star Movement and the Democratic Party (DP). Additionally, Catholic associations have voiced their opposition through national media outlets.

At present, the government has not committed to a timeline for presenting its first draft of the new Gambling Sponsorship Decree.

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