Italian Senate approves gambling advertising ban

The amendment, which did not mention online gambling, was introduced by Socialist party Senator Riccardo Nencini as part of an effort to clamp down on compulsive gambling. Although initially opposed by several members of the government, the amendment passed with a unanimous vote and will now return to the Italian House of Representatives for a third reading.

Nencini called the vote a “victory for the Socialist party” and in line with European principles to deal with compulsive gambling. “The government expressed itself in opposition during the debate, then changed its mind and shared our arguments,” Nencini said. “It’s a success for the whole socialist delegation, a battle began in the House by Marco Di Lello and continued and won in the Senate. A direct shot at interest groups.”

The amendment forms part of a broader bill that was approved by the House of Representatives in September 2013. The bill features measures about Italy’s fiscal system as well as the norms on horseracing and slots. Due to the text being altered during its second reading in the Senate, it will now return for a third reading.

Should the ban be implemented, it could negatively effect the country’s online poker industry, which is already facing a double-digit decline due to low player liquidity and high gaming taxes.