The Ministry of Culture hosted the event dedicated toesports ecosystem organized by IDEA, the association representing the video game industry in Italy. During the event, a possible regulatory framework and growth prospects for the sector were discussed.
IIDEA proposes the French model to regulate esports in Italy
In the post-pandemic years, esports has seen a decrease of users in favor of a return to outdoor activities. Italy, however, remains a point of reference in Europe for the sector, with almost 9 million users. In total, 24% of the Italian population between 16 and 65 years old uses esports, a large part of which are Millennials (54%).
The discussion started from the European Parliament resolution (November 2022) on esports being classified not only as part of the video game sector, but also of culture and media. The provision also highlights the differences with the sports sector and the centrality of intellectual property rights. On this basis, the main operators in the sector have spoken about the challenges and opportunities of this world in Italy.
Present at the debate were the Undersecretary of State at the Ministry of Culture, Sen. Lucia Borgonzoni, and the President of the Culture Commission in the Senate of the Republic, Hon. Roberto Marti. The President of the Culture Commission in the Chamber, the Hon. Federico Mollicone, and the MP the Hon. Luca Toccalini also participated.
As Undersecretary, the greatest attention is paid to a sector capable of combining creativity and entertainment and speaking to a wide audience. I thank all those who organized and promoted today’s meeting, an interesting opportunity for a discussion on the present and future of a constantly growing sector. The policies that we have adopted and will adopt aim at an ever greater development of the Italian cultural and creative industry, a large family of which the companies of the esports ecosystem are certainly part.
Lucia Borgonzoni, Undersecretary of State at the Ministry of Culture.
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In Italy there are great growth opportunities
According to what emerged, currently Italian companies bear additional burdens significant compared to companies in other European markets. This translates into a competitive disadvantage in the market, while there would be enormous development potential in our country. Opportunities that go hand in hand with the cultural, social, educational and professional initiatives that can be achieved on Italian territory.
About this IDEA, which represents the voice of the video game and esports industry in Italy, presented its proposals. The association takes as its pretext the model of France, one of the most competitive markets in Europe in the sector. The vision is to create a scenario for video game competitions in Italy that respects the principles of economic freedomthe consumer protection and the protection of minors. Three fundamental principles that would follow the European line, including prior declaration obligations and limits on the participation of minors. Furthermore, the proposals include guarantees in the event of prize money exceeding a certain amount for the organizers of video game competitions, as well as sanctions in the event of failure to comply with the established obligations.
We thank the institutions that welcomed us today for giving us the opportunity to present our requests for possible regulation of the esports sector in Italy. Should we wish to proceed, our hope, as a reference association for the sector, is that any intervention can take two main objectives into consideration: enhancing the cultural, educational and social importance of video games, including competitive ones, and removing the barriers that currently hinder competitiveness, in order to attract investments on the national territory and to create equal conditions for Italian companies to operate on the international market.
Marco Saletta, President of IIDEA.