Italy: clubs allowed to maintain ties with gambling and betting companies until 30/06/2019

AGCOM, the Italian Communications Regulatory Authority, has issued a favourable opinion on the possibility for Italian clubs to maintain their partnerships with gambling and betting companies until 30/06/2019, or until the end of the 2018-19 season, according to the body on 11/01/2019.

The signature of these partnerships must precede the publication of the so-called "dignity" decree (12/07/2018), a text that prohibits the advertising and sponsorship of betting companies in the field of sport as of 01/01/2019. Only contracts signed after 12/07/2018 remain prohibited at present.

This amendment follows requests for clarification made by the Lega Serie A on 20/12/2018 and 10/01/2019. The body wished to know whether the exception provided for by the decree-law for the ban on advertising - immediately applicable, but with a one-year exemption for current contracts - was also valid for sponsorship contracts.

• The legislative decree entitled "Urgent measures for the dignity of workers and companies", adopted by the Council of Ministers on 02/07/2018, contains in its title III provisions…