Italy Weighs Betting-Funded Reset for Football Reform

Italy’s Senate is reviewing a football reform bill that would redirect part of football betting stakes to the game’s governing body. The proposal links sportsbook activity to youth development, social programs, and tighter oversight.

Italian football reform has moved from federation reports into Parliament. Bill No. 1902, submitted by Senator Paolo Marcheschi from the Brothers of Italy party, was assigned to the Senate’s Culture Committee. The text can still change during the committee stage.

The key gambling provision would introduce a 2% contribution from football betting stakes made in Italy. This would include retail and online betting on football events organized by the Italian Football Federation (FIGC), as well as professional and amateur leagues affiliated with FIGC.

The levy would apply from 1 January 2027. The contributions would be paid quarterly by licensed operators to FIGC.

A Levy Built Around Earmarked Spending

The proposal would not send the money into the general budget. It sets up a specific flow of resources for football and social projects:

At least 50% would go to youth development, including girls’ youth football, training, the use of players developed in Italy, public sports facilities, and federal territorial centres;
At least 30% would fund gambling harm prevention and social projects aimed at reducing youth dropout from sport;
The remaining 20% would finance women’s football and football schools.

FIGC would have to submit an annual report on the use of the funds, including certified accounting. Within 24 months of the law entering into force, the government would report to Parliament on the impact of the measures.

Why Operators Are Watching the Text

The bill puts the expected annual value of the 2% contribution at €230m from 2027. In the case of betting businesses, however, the important factor will be the base for calculating the charge. The bill refers to the amount staked, not operator revenue or gross gaming revenue.

This would determine the response of the market. A turnover-based levy can affect margins faster than a GGR-based tax in a mature market environment with fierce competition and high compliance costs.

The bill seeks to keep the state budget neutral through a corresponding reduction in the PREU rate applied to fixed-odds sports betting on football events.

A Wider Football Package

The betting levy is only one aspect of the reform. The package also deals with governance, finance, and transparency in Italian football.

The failure of Italy to qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup has added pressure to the debate over club debt, youth development, and the domestic player pipeline. Lawmakers are trying to link betting activity around football with direct reinvestment in the sport.

When it comes to the gambling industry, the bill is both a precedent and an additional expense. In the event of the bill becoming law, operators would become a legitimate source of funding for Italian football. The final version of the bill will indicate how the Parliament treats that link.