News
Advertising gambling in Italy: how the dignity decree has affected online casinos

One of the oldest pastimes, the fine sport of gambling, is at risk with strict new laws taking effect in countries like Italy, with the government’s 2018 implementation of the Dignity Decree that directly affects advertising gambling in Italy.
The creation of the Dignity Decree placed a strict ban on gambling-related companies from advertising, providing sponsorship, the marketing of gaming services & products, and all promos related to gambling including on billboards as well as online.
Talk about a challenge for gaming companies operating in Italy, this decree hits advertisers and sponsors hard but also sponsees, such as with soccer clubs are losing huge amounts in potential sponsorships from online gambling companies.
What is the Italian gambling dignity decree?
The Italian Gambling Dignity Decree would be approved and implemented in 2018 drastically changing the way in which gambling-related companies would be able to advertise within Italy. The general gist of the decree prevents direct and indirect gambling related advertising such as commercial ads, billboards, and sponsorships either in print form or online including social media platforms. A financial nuisance and major obstacle for the surge of online gambling companies that have recently hit the online space in Italy.
The purpose of the Italian Gambling Dignity Decree, which was ushered in by Italy’s Autorità per le Garanzie nelle Comunicazioni (AGCOM), was to establish a layer of control and protection for Italian citizens reducing exposure to gambling opportunities and therefore preventing a potential rise in gambling addiction.
Another key component of the Decree was the new layer of player protection being provided. In just the last year alone due to COVID-19 and mandatory stay-at-home orders imposed throughout Italy there has been a steep rise in the number of online gamblers with a diverse background counting young professionals and elderly amongst the spectrum of players.
The caveat of the dignity decree is the ability for companies to advertise if promoting and pushing messages surrounding responsible gambling and legal gambling products and services, however even during these promotional campaigns gambling companies are still not permitted to use their logo or branding.
The country’s gambling advertising ban on sports
The Italian gambling Dignity Decree has had an immediate and direct effect on sports in Italy from the Olympics all the way to A series sports clubs. As most of Italy’s sports clubs work with betting companies through sponsorship support the loss in ability to advertise alongside them is leaving clubs at a financial disadvantage.
Post COVID and a year-long shutdown the sporting industry including football clubs have had to aggressively rally to find new business solutions pressing them to demand from the Italian government a suspension of the Decree.
Getting new clients with the Italian gambling advertising ban
The question you’re probably asking yourself is the same question every gambling company operating in Italy once asked: So then how do we acquire new clients if we aren’t permitted to advertise?
Let’s see the possibilities a company has with the advertising ban:
What’s banned by the Italian gambling Dignity Decree
As we mentioned above, the Italian gambling Dignity Decree limits the possibilities of advertising gambling in Italy.
To protect Italian players it prevents both, direct and indirect gambling related print and online advertising including commercials, sponsorships and billboards.
Advertising gambling in Italy: what’s still possible?
Despite Italy’s Anti-gambling 5Star movement and the current administration’s support of the Decree there have been countless pleas from the business, sports and gambling-related sector to suspend the Decree.
The holy grail of workarounds for gambling companies is the popular online practice of affiliate marketing. Affiliate marketing occurs when online companies pay websites to mention and link their company.
The advertisement in this marketing tactic involves text and links (SEO) as opposed to flashy advertisements oftentimes found on the side of articles we read, or our Facebook feeds, or even the advertisements when we Google search.
Casino comparison sites in Italy
Affiliate marketing in Italy is essential for online gambling companies to be able to reach potential new players while respecting the italian gambling advertising ban.
The necessity of affiliate marketing for advertising gambling in Italy has then created the need for casino comparison sites such as ProCasino, where players can find all the casinos related information in one place and can pick the one that best fit their needs.
These casino comparison sites are flooding the online space, with new sites operating and catering to gambling-related companies in need of affiliate marketing. These sites tend to create a spreadsheet of comparisons including the gambling company’s welcome deposit bonuses, fee amounts, payout times and a number of other key information a player may be interested in learning.
A popular new section being added to comparison sites includes the deposit and payout options as gambling-related companies are finding Millennial and Gen Z users in particular looking more and more to use cryptocurrencies when playing.
Conclusion
In conclusion, we can say that the Italian gambling Dignity Decree, as much as it is making advertising gambling in Italy through common practices almost impossible, it has also proved its effectiveness in protecting players.
Furthermore, the Italian gambling advertising ban is permitting the growth of casino comparison sites that provide updated information on various providers. Each user can then compare all the platforms, evaluate which one best fits his knowledge, possibilities and needs.
Conferences
EEGS Affiliate Conference Returns – Celebrating Its Fourth Edition as a Key Industry Milestone in Eastern Europe

Building on the success of previous years, the EEGS Affiliate Conference is set to host its fourth edition, reaffirming its position as the leading event dedicated to affiliates, affiliate managers, and industry partners in Eastern Europe.
The conference will take place on 25th November in Sofia, Bulgaria, as a key accompanying event to the Eastern European Gaming Summit (EEGS). It provides a premier platform for affiliates to connect, share insights, and drive growth within the rapidly evolving gaming and entertainment sectors.
Since its launch, the EEGS Affiliate Conference has attracted over 150 top-tier affiliates, affiliate managers, and industry stakeholders from across Europe. It serves as a vital hub for networking, strategic partnerships, and the exchange of innovative ideas, enabling attendees to maximize their success in a competitive market.
The upcoming edition promises to be even more impactful, featuring engaging panel discussions, expert-led presentations, and exclusive networking opportunities tailored specifically for the affiliate community. The event will culminate in a lively networking party, offering attendees a relaxed environment to forge new collaborations and strengthen existing relationships.
As the only dedicated affiliate conference in Eastern Europe, this event offers unparalleled visibility for brands and affiliates seeking to expand their reach, share best practices, and stay ahead of industry trends.
EEGS also offers premium sponsorship opportunities designed to elevate brand presence and maximize exposure. Interested parties are encouraged to stay tuned for sponsorship details or contact the organizers directly at [email protected].
Mark your calendars for the upcoming EEGS Affiliate Conference in Sofia, Bulgaria, and seize the opportunity to connect with industry leaders, share insights, and explore new avenues for growth and innovation. The program and registration details will be announced soon. More updates will be shared shortly!
Affiliate Announcements
Discover Affigates: BetConstruct’s Innovative Affiliate Network for the iGaming Sector

Industry powerhouse BetConstruct is announcing the official launch of Affigates, a full-scale affiliate ecosystem that is set to redefine how operators and partners connect in iGaming.
What Sets It Apart?
Affigates brings affiliate software, affiliate program management, and a performance-tested network under one roof, designed from the ground up for scale, speed, and smarter growth.
From AI-aided management to a proprietary scoring system that filters the noise and finds real partners, Affigates removes the friction and delivers results that actually move the needle. With over 4500+ affiliates, 630+ active partner operators, and access to more than 30 million players, the ecosystem is already making a significant impact.
See It First at iGB L!VE
Affigates is making its global debut at iGB L!VE in London, where the sharpest minds in iGaming converge. You will find the ecosystem in action at its own stand, C40, as well as the dedicated team behind it.
Catering to both ready-to-scale operators and affiliates aiming higher, Affigates is here to deliver the affiliate solution the industry has been waiting for.
Affiliate Announcements
Affilka by SOFTSWISS Unveils Updates for Affiliates

Affilka by SOFTSWISS, an award-winning affiliate management software platform, has announced a suite of new product updates for the affiliates. The latest release introduces a Traffic Report with advanced clicks analytics, an API for extracting campaigns and tracking links, and a sub-affiliate NGR-based revenue share model.
Traffic Report: In-depth Click Analysis
This new Traffic Report focuses on detailed click-level analytics, offering in-depth insights into clicks, registrations, deposits, and conversion rates such as click-to-reg and click-to-FTD – all in one place. It includes several key features for flexible data analysis:
- Multi-dimensional filtering and data grouping: The report enables users to filter and break down the data into granular views across multiple dimensions, offering detailed insights by traffic source, campaign, country, device type, IP address, and more. Notably, click data is transferred to the report in real time, providing instant visibility into user activity.
- CSV data export: The report supports one-click CSV export, allowing affiliates to easily download raw data for offline analysis or sharing.
- Historical data access: Affiliates can review traffic statistics from 1 January 2023, enabling year-on-year comparisons and long-term trend evaluation.
Gleb Bichan, Product Lead at Affilka by SOFTSWISS, comments: “At Affilka, we know how crucial it is for operators and affiliates alike to make data-driven decisions. That’s why we’re introducing tools like the Traffic Report to help partners become more productive and uncover new insights faster.”
API for Marketing Campaigns and Tracking Links
In addition to the existing Reports API, affiliates can now access data on their marketing campaigns and tracking links directly via API, allowing for automated data extraction and custom integrations. With this API access, users can retrieve up-to-date lists of marketing campaigns, promo codes, and related performance metrics directly via API calls. This improvement helps Affilka clients automate their reporting workflows and integrate affiliate data with external BI tools, reducing manual effort and ensuring timely access to key information.
New Sub-affiliate Revenue Share Model
Responding to client feedback, Affilka’s team also features a new sub-affiliate reward type. This allows affiliates to earn a commission based on the Net Gaming Revenue (NGR) generated by players referred by their sub-affiliates, offering a more direct revenue-sharing approach. By aligning earnings with the actual revenue brought in by sub-affiliates, the update incentivises collaboration and gives experienced affiliates a stronger stake in mentoring their referred partners.
Gleb Bichan adds: “For us, it’s important that affiliates not only use the product but also feel it’s built with their real needs in mind. We regularly gather feedback and implement improvements that make daily workflows more transparent and efficient. Features like the Traffic Report, API access, and new reward types are direct responses to partner requests – and we’re not stopping there. We plan to introduce even more tools designed to simplify affiliate operations, so stay tuned for upcoming updates.”
Affilka by SOFTSWISS will be presented at iGB in London from 3 to 4 July 2025. Attendees of the event can learn more about new features directly from the Affilka team and see how these innovations support better affiliate programme management.
About SOFTSWISS
SOFTSWISS is an international technology company with over 15 years of experience developing innovative solutions for the iGaming industry. SOFTSWISS holds a number of gaming licences and provides comprehensive software for managing iGaming projects. The company’s product portfolio includes the Online Casino Platform, the Game Aggregator with over 30,000 casino games, the Affilka Affiliate Platform, the Sportsbook Software and the Jackpot Aggregator. In 2013, SOFTSWISS revolutionised the industry by introducing the world’s first Bitcoin-optimised online casino solution. The expert team counts over 2,000 employees.
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