Serie A club Lazio and prediction market Polymarket have terminated their sponsorship deal after Italy's Customs and Monopolies Agency (ADM) blacklisted the platform on July 10. Polymarket became inaccessible to Italian users from July 27, making it impossible to fulfill the contract terms.
The parties announced the termination on Tuesday. Lazio said the decision was reached 'by mutual agreement and in a spirit of cooperation' due to regulatory changes. The ADM's action relied on the 2018 Decreto Dignità law, which bans gambling advertising and sponsorship in Italy.
The contract was signed in April. Polymarket served as official sponsor and digital analytics partner. The deal was worth more than $22 million, plus activation and performance bonuses. Under the early termination terms, Polymarket will pay Lazio the full amount for the 2026/27 season. Both parties left the door open to resume the partnership if regulation changes.
Italy joined Spain, Czechia and France in restricting access to the platform. In June, nine European regulators including Italy's launched a joint campaign against prediction markets, citing consumer protection and unlicensed activity.
Meanwhile, the Italian Football Federation (FIGC) is pushing to revise the gambling ad ban. In a report earlier this year, FIGC argued the restriction reduces sponsorship revenue for Italian clubs compared to rivals in other top European leagues.
