The Italian media and communications watchdog AGCOM has announced the introduction of a new mandatory age verification for adult content, including gambling. The technical measure will require media to check the age of users via the national digital identity system SPID before allowing them to view content or access services related to pornography, gambling and other adult-specific social media categories.

The new measures were proposed within the online safety and protection bill known as the Caivano Decree, expected to be mandatory in 2025. AGCOM says the measure will ensure tighter age verification mechanisms to protect minors from content that could harm their physical, mental or moral development.