Shall we bet that the government bets?

It may be that today, with the lights off and while minds are elsewhere, the uncommendable attempt to abolish the (just) ban on indirect advertising of betting and gambling will return to the scene. This rule was introduced by Article 9 of Law No. 96 of 9 August 2018. This provision made absolute a choice already prefigured by Law No. 189 of 2012, which was strengthened by the European Recommendation of 14 July 2014.

The Communications Regulatory Authority issued, in turn, the application guidelines in April 2019. With a specific instrument – ​​the so-called Assigned Affair under discussion within the Senate Culture Committee – now the government and the majority seem intent on canceling a sacrosanct address.

In truth, we are at a further episode, compared to an article (the 14th according to gossip) that was foreseen in the first draft then revised of the "culture decree" approved before Christmas by the Council of Ministers and recently converted by the Chambers. In a regressive climate, aimed at eliminating the good that has been prepared in recent years, a revenge of the world of football could not be missed, in its less sporting face and instead linked to the financial universe. And we are not talking here about the implications of and with pieces of fans on which the judiciary has set its eyes.

However, it is certain that such a red card blow would benefit above all the land of football's land of plenty, which travels with engines as tweaked as the old scooters boosted thanks to betting and television rights. It is unlikely that the cry will be raised that the King is Naked, because in Italy we are in the presence of a pagan rite in which political or cultural colors are confused, with a widespread complicity that passes from the strong powers to even impoverished components of society willing to sacrifice other goods just to sit in the stands or to subscribe to dedicated platforms.

Strengthened by this shared alienation and well exploited by those who have made a significant business out of it, the government is trying to use a dramatic moment in the life of the world to achieve an unpronounceable goal in a civil assembly.

After all, just go to the stadium or stay in front of the video and for some time now we have been seeing circumventions of the ban, even blatant ones. Some sanctions have been imposed by Agcom, it is true. However, the arrows have been aimed only at video sharing platforms and owners of accounts or channels always on the platforms, which spread promotional spots for games and bets with cash winnings.

But here we are on the outskirts of the evil empire: we must look at who is pulling the strings of the affair. Famous teams even have the acronyms of bending companies on their shirts and the board member of Football Club Internazionale Milano (the league leaders) Carassai had to resign in recent days due to a blatant conflict of interest, as he is the head of an online betting company, MicroGame. The story does not stop with the Nerazzurri, touching other shirts as well.

It should also be noted that the English Premier League is going in the opposite direction, having decided to block sponsorships by betting companies as driving brands for the teams.

We hope that the clumsy attempt to send a precautionary rule to the ceiling with respect to the rampant spread - online and in physical places - of a real pathology does not pass. How nostalgic for the glorious football pools coupon, which belonged to a bygone era in which the matches were played simultaneously on Sundays and the program with unforgettable voices Tutto il calcio minuto per minuto had formidable ratings. They were sequences of an Italy that perhaps has remained only in our imagination. Yes: retrotopia, the famous philosopher would say.

Yes, certainly, woe betide nostalgia. But between the good memories and the pornography of harsh reality, will there be – or not – decent third ways? Or are certain sides of football unassailable fortresses? Be vigilant, people, be vigilant.