Italy’s Senate is pushing towards a dedicated funding mechanism for domestic football. The vehicle? A newly proposed 2% levy on all football wagers, designed to tackle mounting structural challenges within the country’s clubs and grassroots infrastructure.

Bill 1902, introduced by Senator Paolo Marcheschi in May 2026, would funnel approximately €230 million annually from betting revenue into a football-specific fund run by the Italian Football Federation (FIGC). It’s a significant shift. Rather than generic state support, Italy would move towards a betting-revenue model already familiar across European sports jurisdictions.

How the Levy Works

The 2% charge applies uniformly across all domestic football betting. Retail, online, matches organised by the FIGC and its affiliated professional and amateur leagues, all of it. Licensed betting concessionaires remit collections quarterly directly to the federation, with the Ministry of Economy and Finance establishing implementation procedures within six months of enactment.

Here’s where it gets clever. The proposal restructures existing fiscal burdens rather than layering new ones on top. By offsetting the new football levy against Italy’s existing PREU tax regime on fixed-odds wagers, the bill maintains revenue neutrality for the state whilst creating a dedicated football fund. This sidesteps the state aid complications that have stalled similar initiatives elsewhere.

Where the Money Goes

The FIGC’s allocation framework reflects football’s broader social mandate. At least 50% must support youth development programmes, including women’s training and infrastructure at territorial centres. Then there’s a mandatory 30% for harm prevention initiatives and youth sports retention. The remaining 20% goes to women’s football and amateur grassroots clubs.

This distribution matters because European federations now face real pressure to demonstrate investment across player development and social responsibility, not just concentrate resources in elite competition.

Industry Backing and Club Economics

The proposal gained credibility fast. Outgoing FIGC president Gabriele Gravina formally advocated for football betting levies in April, citing a European directive transposition framework. And frankly, with Italian club debt reportedly exceeding €5.5 billion, the €230 million annual injection addresses a genuine structural problem without requiring politically contentious state spending increases.

The bill is scheduled for 1 January 2027, following assignment to the Senate’s 7th Standing Committee. For operators already navigating Italy’s stringent regulatory environment under the Agenzia delle Dogane e dei Monopoli (ADM), the levy represents a predictable administrative addition rather than fundamental market disruption.