The Twitter company was sanctioned for the first time with a fine of over 1 million euros for having spread gambling advertising on video-sharing platform X

For the first time, the Italian convergent regulator Agcom has sanctioned the Twitter International Unlimited Company - owner of the video-sharing platform “X” - for violating the ban on gambling advertising, pursuant to Article 9 of the Dignity Decree, imposing a fine of EUR 1,350,000.

Following numerous reports received for alleged violation of the ban on online gambling advertising, Agcom initiated and concluded a sanctioning procedure that found nine violations on the social network relating to advertising communication content for gaming and betting activities with cash winnings (see Resolution No. 65/24/CONS of March 6, 2024). All these violations were found on individual accounts marked with the "Blue Check" (account that has an active subscription to X Premium and meets the platform eligibility requirements).

This penalty follows those already adopted by Agcom against Google, Twitch and Meta (see below) in relation to offences related to the ban on gambling advertising committed online.

Sanctions previously adopted by Agcom:

- Google Ireland Limited: sanctions equal to €450,000 (resolution no. 275/22/CONS), €2,250,000 (resolution no. 317/23/CONS) and €750,000 (resolution no. 50/24/CONS) and for violations committed by the VSP YouTube service - see IRIS 2022-8:1/4.

- Twitch Interactive Germany GmbH: sanction equal to €900,000 (resolution no. 317/23/CONS) – see also IRIS 2024-1:1/12

- Meta: sanctions equal to €5,580,000 (resolution no. 422/22/CONS) and €750,000 (resolution no. 331/23/CONS). See also IRIS 2023-3:1/14

• For more details, see the Iris Newsletter from the European Audiovisual Observatory.
• See also EPRA news for the previous sanctions.

Source: Agcom