Italian Football Presidential Candidates Propose 2% Betting Tax to Revive Calcio Infrastructure and Youth Development
Two leading candidates for the presidency of the Italian Football Federation (FIGC) have aligned on a plan to channel betting revenues directly into the national game. Giovanni Malagò and Giancarlo Abete both advocate a dedicated 2% allocation from betting turnover or proceeds, known as the Right-to-Bet tax. This shared proposal comes ahead of the election and amid broader discussions to repeal and replace the Dignity Decree of 2018, which imposed a blanket ban on gambling advertising and sponsorships.
The initiative aims to address mounting challenges in Italian football, including youth development, ageing stadiums, and league competitiveness. As someone who has spent decades observing the evolution of regulated gaming and its intersection with sports, I see this as a potential inflection point for how European football federations monetize betting in a post-ad ban environment.
Shared Commitment to a 2% Right-to-Bet Allocation
Both Malagò, the frontrunner backed by players’ and coaches’ unions, and Abete, the former FIGC President supported by the Lega Nazionale Dilettanti, envisage the 2% levy on licensed bookmakers funding a revival of calcio. The revenues would target grassroots football, infrastructure upgrades, and competitive improvements.
This alignment signals consensus on treating betting as a strategic funding source rather than a peripheral activity. The proposals position the tax as essential at a time when Italian football lags European peers in commercial dynamism.
Malagò’s Vision: Federation-Led Redistribution and Infrastructure
Giovanni Malagò, former President of the Italian Olympic Committee, frames betting revenues under his ‘new Club Italia’ programme as a federation-led funding mechanism. Proceeds would support youth development, grassroots participation, and a national stadium modernisation plan critical to Italy’s UEFA Euro 2032 hosting ambitions.
His plan includes financial and tax-relief incentives for clubs to field more Italian U-23 players. Malagò also seeks to overhaul Club Italia by integrating figures such as Paolo Maldini and Gianfranco Zola into the national team structure, positioning the FIGC as a guarantor of the wider football ecosystem.
He positions betting alongside media rights, anti-piracy measures, and sports taxation reforms in a comprehensive strategy to strengthen the sport.
Abete’s Emphasis on Commercial Liberalisation and Pyramid Sustainability
Giancarlo Abete centers his campaign on the sustainability of the football pyramid. He proposes reducing the number of professional clubs to enhance financial stability and competitive standards while introducing new funding streams to bolster clubs’ commercial and investment capabilities.
Unlike Malagò, Abete supports restoring sponsorship and advertising partnerships between football clubs and regulated betting operators. He argues clubs should once again secure direct commercial investment from these firms.
Abete envisions part of the revenues supporting integrity and responsible gambling initiatives. His approach combines redistribution with commercial liberalisation that has lagged behind European competitors.
Risks, Counterarguments, and Regulatory Timing
A dedicated betting tax offers clear upside for football but carries limitations. Operators already navigate tight margins and regulatory overhead; an additional 2% levy on turnover or proceeds could pressure pricing or push activity toward unregulated channels if not calibrated carefully.
The candidates diverge on advertising and sponsorship. Malagò’s redistribution focus contrasts with Abete’s commercial openness, raising questions about which path best balances integrity, youth investment, and club viability.
Timing adds urgency. The new FIGC President will negotiate with Italy’s Olympic Committee and Serie A, overseen by Sports Minister Andrea Abodi. Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni has directed economic reform proposals by September for the 2027 Budget, with calcio modernisation central to the pre-election landscape.
The Bottom Line
This Italian football election underscores how regulated betting can anchor sports revival when structured thoughtfully. The 2% Right-to-Bet proposal reflects a pragmatic recognition that gaming revenues must flow back into the ecosystem that drives fan engagement and integrity. For our client-partners navigating European markets, the outcome on June 22 and subsequent talks with CONI and Serie A will signal whether Italy moves toward federation-controlled redistribution or a more liberalised commercial model. Watch the negotiations closely; they may preview broader structural shifts in how sports federations and betting operators converge on sustainable funding mechanisms.
