Giulio Coraggio Discusses Impending Changes in Italian Gambling Industry

Gambling.Re interviews Giulio Coraggio, Global Co-Chair of the Gaming & Gambling group of DLA Piper, about the expected reorganization of the Italian gambling industry

The Italian government has warned the gambling sector to expect major reorganization due to concerns raised by politicians and consumer advocates about its negative impact on society. Gambling.Re interviewed Giulio Coraggio, the Global Co-Chair of the Gaming & Gambling group of DLA Piper, to discuss the impending changes in the industry.

Coraggio explained that the law provides only general principles, making it hard to anticipate the specific changes that will affect operators. However, the goal is to set common rules across the country and provide better protections for players. The details of how this will be achieved will be negotiated by the legislator with the industry.

The appointment of Italo Volpe and Sandra Savino to review the gambling sector is expected to bring a deep understanding of the market, which is pivotal to avoiding usual biases that can affect decisions and the final outcome of the reform. Operators can work proactively with the review team to ensure their voices are heard.

There has been talk of the Italian government partially lifting the ban on gambling sponsorships in football, which Coraggio believes would be beneficial for the whole industry. Licensed operators are obliged by law to offer their games, and the lack of advertising prevents that. Regulating a business is different from banning it.

While the proposed changes could have a significant impact on the Italian gambling market, particularly for smaller operators who may struggle to meet the new requirements, industry experts believe that the Italian gambling sector is well-placed to adapt to the changes. They also believe that the proposed reforms could have a positive impact on the industry in the long term, by promoting greater transparency, accountability, and responsibility.