Italian Regulator Fines X for Illegal Gambling Ads

Platform failed to block gambling content

by - Thursday, March 14th, 2024 10:01

X (twitter)

The Italian Communications Regulatory Authority – Autorità per le Garanzie nelle Comunicazioni (AGCOM) – has issued a fine of €1.35 million ($1.47 million) to X (formerly Twitter) for violations of gambling advertising regulations.

Italian Regulator Fines X for Illegal Gambling Ads, the commissioner of AGCOM, Elisa Giomi, approved the fine on the basis that the company violated article 9 of the so-called dignity decree (resolution no.65/24/CONS).

During its investigation, AGCOM found that the company had breached the regulations in relation to the advertising of gambling products by nine individual accounts. This included content that promoted sites that carry out gaming and betting activities for real money. AGCOM noted that the company failed to block the activity of two of the nine accounts during its content review process and has included an order to block the accounts alongside the fine. It also pointed out that each of the nine accounts held the blue check mark of a verified account.

The regulator has also warned X that it must not allow any further breaches relating to these or any other accounts on its platform.

Italy’s Fight Against Illegal Gambling Ads

Italian Regulator Fines X for Illegal Gambling Ads Italian Regulator Fines X for Illegal Gambling Ads

More recently, in December 2023, YouTube and Twitch were collectively fined €3.15 million ($3.42 million) by AGCOM due to the presence of 20,000 gambling-related videos on their platforms, which contravened Italy’s strict ban on gambling advertisements.

Italian Regulator Fines X for Illegal Gambling Ads to €35,246,646 ($38,556,488).

Thomas Nielsen

Gambling industry journalist with a background in online poker and trading. Covering the regulated U.S Sports industry and the exciting world of online poker.