Twitter Fined €1.35m for Violating Italian Gambling Ad Ban
Date: 2024-03-17 Author: Dima Zakharov Categories: EVENTS
Violation of Gambling Ad Ban
Italy's regulatory body, Autorità per le Garanzie nelle Comunicazioni (Agcom), has imposed a substantial fine of €1.35m on Twitter International Unlimited Company, the owner of X, for violating the 2019 "dignity decree." This decree prohibits any form of advertising, sponsorship, or communication containing promotional content related to gaming or betting activities.
Nine Violations Uncovered
Agcom identified nine instances of violation from verified X accounts, which were found to be advertising websites offering gaming and betting activities with monetary rewards. The presence of a blue checkmark on these accounts made X accountable for their actions, according to Agcom.
Enforcement Measures
As a response, Agcom has issued an access inhibition order for two active accounts on the platform. Furthermore, an inhibition order has been implemented to prevent any further dissemination of illicit content. These actions were taken subsequent to the notification of dispute by the nine accounts.
Social Media Platforms Under Scrutiny
This penalty on Twitter comes shortly after Meta, the parent company of Facebook and Instagram, was fined €5.58m for similar violations. Agcom discovered gambling-related promotional content on 18 social media profiles, including Instagram and Facebook. Google, Twitch, and YouTube have also faced penalties for breaching the advertising ban in Italy.
Impact on Football Clubs
The wide-ranging ad ban in Italy has posed challenges for football clubs, many of which had prior partnerships with gambling operators. While partnerships in other markets are still allowed, there have been calls for a relaxation of the ban due to the financial implications faced by clubs and football organizations.
