Italian Finance Ministry Proposes Overhaul of Online Gambling Laws

The Italian Ministry of Finance is poised to introduce substantial changes to Italy’s online gambling regulations in a forthcoming preliminary decree. This initiative marks the first comprehensive review of the online gambling sector since its regulation in 2011.

The proposed draft decree encompasses revisions to online gambling concessions and licensing fees, along with the introduction of stricter measures against illegal gambling activities. The ministry contends that the pricing of online gambling concessions has remained unreasonably low, advocating for a new model that would set concessions at €7 million – a substantial increase, representing 20 times the average amount paid by operators for their existing concessions.

To deter the practice of multiple skin websites, which sell the products of a single concessionaire, a limit of five licenses per operating firm is proposed. This move addresses concerns raised by the regulator, the ADM. Additionally, the government would have the authority to impose an annual adjustment fee equivalent to 2% of online gross revenues. The preliminary decree does not include any proposals for tax adjustments at this time.

The decree also recommends the establishment of a Public Gambling Council responsible for monitoring gambling activity and suggesting safety measures. Government agencies would be entrusted with reinforcing controls to combat illegal gambling. The complete text of the preliminary decree is set to be presented to Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni alongside the 2024 Budget Law.

In parallel to the online gambling review, Italy is advancing the reorganization of land-based gambling within the country, aiming for greater standardization of rules across various regions.

Simultaneously, the European Gaming & Betting Association (EGBA) has called for a revision of Italy’s ban on gambling advertisements following reports of black-market activities. This plea follows estimates from Italian newspaper La Gazzetta dello Sport indicating that Italians wager €25 billion annually with unlicensed operators, with €18.5 billion spent on unlicensed gambling websites.