The EU Court to Hear LeoVegas’ Complaint About the Ban on Gambling Ads in Italy
Proceedings in the European Court
The European Court of Justice (ECJ) will review the complaint filed by the company LeoVegas regarding the €50,000 fine imposed by the Italian regulator AGCOM.
The violation was related to advertising of slots on Winga.it on the satellite TV channel Sky 237.
LeoVegas claims that the ban on gambling advertising in Italy violates EU law and infringes on the rights of operators from other countries.
Background of the Dispute
In 2018, Italy adopted the “Dignity Decree”, which since 2019 has completely banned advertising and sponsorship of gambling activities within the country.
In 2019, AGCOM fined LeoVegas for violating this law. The company attempted to challenge the decision by appealing to the Regional Administrative Court (TAR), but without success.
After that, LeoVegas filed a complaint with the State Council of Italy, arguing that the ban contradicted the principles of freedom to provide services in the EU.
State Council’s Decision
The State Council of Italy, after considering the arguments from both parties, identified legal contradictions and referred the case to the European Court of Justice.
The key issues to be addressed by the ECJ are:
- Does the Italian ban on gambling advertising comply with the EU principles of the freedom to provide services?
- Does the ban violate the principle of equal treatment for companies from different countries?
- Is the ban reasonable in terms of protecting public health?
Possible Consequences
The outcome of this case may affect not only Italy but also other EU countries planning to introduce similar bans. In particular:
| Case Outcome | Consequences |
|---|---|
| If the ECJ sides with LeoVegas | Italy will be forced to reconsider the ban, and gambling operators will gain the opportunity to promote their services. |
| If the Court upholds the ban | The Italian government will be able to continue enforcing strict regulatory measures. |
Meanwhile, discussions continue in Italy about possible changes to the Dignity Decree.
The Ministry of Economy and Finance, together with the Ministry of Sport and representatives of the media industry, are considering the possibility of revising the law, taking into account its impact on the advertising and gambling industries.