Giancarlo Abete and Giovanni Malagò have both submitted candidacies for the presidency of the Italian Football Federation (FIGC), presenting their respective programmes ahead of the Electoral Assembly scheduled for 22 June at the Rome Cavalieri Waldorf Astoria Hotel. Both programmes include references to betting revenue contributions as part of wider proposals on football’s financial structure.
According to Malagò’s programme, the sustainability of Italian football depends on the ability to protect and develop system resources. Audiovisual rights, anti-piracy measures, the betting market, sports taxation and investment incentives are presented as interconnected issues.
The document notes football betting turnover exceeds €16bn and suggests that a share of related revenues could be redirected to support the development of the sport.
Giancarlo Abete’s programme supports removing restrictions on gambling advertising and sponsorship introduced under the Dignity Decree. He proposes that betting-related revenues be channelled back into the federation to fund system-wide development, with a focus on youth and women’s football.
Abete’s candidacy is supported by the National Amateur League while Malagò’s bid is backed by Serie A.
Serie A Football clubs have also proposed allocating a fixed percentage of betting turnover to football. This includes a 1% levy on bets placed on football events.
The clubs likewise called for a review or abolition of the Dignity Decree. Their executives argue that the current rules put Serie A at a competitive disadvantage compared to other European leagues, where betting sponsorship and partnerships are common.
Meanwhile, Italian political parties and consumer groups are calling for even tougher measures on gambling communications, going beyond the Dignity Decree.
Italy’s political landscape is showing rare cross-party alignment on an expanded ban on gambling communications.
Italian Democratic Party deputies Stefano Vaccari and Virginio Merola have backed a proposal to extend Italy’s existing restrictions on gambling advertising and promotional messaging.
The bill, originally introduced by Lega deputy Silvana Comaroli, seeks to prohibit all forms of commercial communication promoting gambling products that offer cash prizes.
In a joint submission to the communications authority AGCOM, several Italian consumer and scientific organisations have argued that prevention messaging must avoid normalising gambling or making it more socially acceptable.
These include the association Alea, the National Forum of Family Associations and five consumer groups.
The groups argue that “responsible gambling” messaging risks acting as indirect promotion and should not be used in ways that blur prevention with advertising.
The submission also warns that marketing style features in informational campaigns such as bonuses, countdowns and gamified design can reinforce gambling behaviour and should face stricter restrictions.
Polymarket was recently named the exclusive prediction market partner of Serie A, following a new multi-year agreement reached between the operator and Italian football league on May 14
