Italy: Issued ruling in AGCOM investigation into Google's compliance with gambling ads ban

On 22 December 2023, the Italian Authority for Communications Guarantees (AGCOM) issued an EUR 2.25 million fine against Google for violations of a gambling advertising ban, per art. 9 of “Decreto Dignità”. Google was found to have hosted and promoted content advertising online gambling on YouTube. The company was held liable for videos from the fifteen channels it did not remove after being formally notified of their illicit content. In addition to the fine, Google is now required to take down the unlawful channels and content.