Italy's draft Highway Code sets prison and fines for betting on illegal races
By The Weekly Edge desk ·
Summary
Italy's draft new Highway Code, approved preliminarily by the Council of Ministers on 13 October 2026 and sent to the Senate on 14 October, includes an article on illegal motor races. Article 166 provides three months to one year in prison and a fine of €5,000 to €25,000 for anyone betting on such races. Organisers face harsher penalties if the races are run for profit or to enable illegal betting, and the draft is now before parliamentary committees for opinions.
Why it matters
The draft would make betting on illegal motor races punishable by prison and fines, giving bettors and regulators a defined enforcement provision.