TLDR
- Senator Paolo Marcheschi filed Bill No. 1902 to reform Italian football governance and funding.
- The bill adds a 2% levy on bets placed on domestic football leagues.
- The tax could raise about €230 million a year.
- Half of the money would go toward youth football programs.
- Lawmakers hope to pass the bill by January 2027.
Italy’s Senate received a new bill this week that could change how football is funded in the country. The plan centers on a 2% tax on football betting revenue.
Senator Paolo Marcheschi introduced the bill, called “Provisions reordering the football system.” He filed it as Bill No. 1902.
The proposal comes after Italy failed to qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Lawmakers say the loss exposed problems in the sport’s structure.
Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni’s party, Brothers of Italy, backs the bill. That support gives the measure momentum in parliament.
The bill covers more than taxes. It also touches on governance rules, media rights, and accountability standards for clubs.
The core piece is a 2% levy on bets placed on domestic football leagues. Those leagues fall under the Italian Football Federation.
Backers of the bill expect the tax to raise about €230 million each year. That money would flow into a fund managed by the football federation.
Where the Money Would Go
Half of the funds, close to €115 million, would go toward youth development. That includes academies, training centers, and public facilities.
Clubs that develop homegrown talent would also receive incentives under the plan. The goal is to build up young Italian players.
Women’s football and amateur academies would receive 20% of the funds. That works out to around €46 million a year.
The remaining 30%, about €69 million, would support social programs. These include efforts to prevent gambling harm and keep young people in organized sport.
Italy’s History With Betting Taxes
Italy already taxes gambling at a high rate. Operators pay the PREU levy on amounts wagered at AWP and VLT machines.
That tax dates back to the 2001 Financial Law. Rates sit at 24% for AWP terminals and 8.6% for VLTs.
Supporters of the new bill say the football levy fits into a system operators already know. They argue it won’t create an unfamiliar burden.
Italian football clubs carry a combined debt of about €5.5 billion. Supporters say the new levy could offer a steady funding source for areas that have lacked investment.
A federation report pointed to youth programs, stadium upgrades, and harm prevention as targets for the money.
Lawmakers hope to have the measures in place by January 2027. The Ministry of Finance and the Italian Football Federation would oversee the rollout.
