Italy Considers a 2% Betting Levy to Fund Football

Italy.- 7 July 2026 www.zonadeazar.com The Italian Senate has received the first comprehensive bill aimed at overhauling the country’s football system. Among its headline measures is a proposed 2% levy on sports betting, with proceeds earmarked to support professional, grassroots and youth football.

News Details

The proposal seeks to modernise football financing through a “Right to Bet” mechanism, allocating part of the value generated by regulated sports betting to the wider football ecosystem.

Under the bill, a 2% levy would apply to betting turnover or proceeds from licensed sports betting operators. The revenue would finance youth development, grassroots programmes, stadium infrastructure and initiatives designed to improve the competitiveness of Italian football.

The measure forms part of a broader reform package introducing new governance standards, stronger accountability requirements for clubs and structural changes intended to restore confidence in Italian football.

Industry Context

The proposal comes as Italy continues reviewing its regulated gambling framework. At the same time, the government is considering amendments to the Dignity Decree, which has banned gambling advertising since 2018, alongside wider reforms affecting both the betting industry and football financing.

Statements

The proposal states:

“With football betting revenues exceeding €16 billion and tax receipts at record levels, it is legitimate to debate whether part of the value generated by betting should be returned to the football ecosystem.”

Next Steps or Impact

The bill will now proceed through the Italian Senate. If approved, the levy could establish a permanent funding mechanism for Italian football while creating a new model of cooperation between the regulated betting industry and professional sport.

Edited by: @_fonta