ADM and Guardia di Finanza join forces to tackle irregularities in Italy’s regulated gambling market
Italy’s regulated gambling market is now a top priority for the country’s key enforcement and oversight institutions. The recent renewal of the cooperation protocol between the Italian Customs and Monopolies Agency (ADM) and the Guardia di Finanza (GdF) introduces a new chapter in the joint fight against illegal gambling and tax evasion in the sector. For the first time, public gambling is addressed as a dedicated area within a structured, permanent inter-agency collaboration.
Public gambling in the spotlight
This updated agreement includes a dedicated section focused entirely on preventing and combating irregularities in the legal gambling sector. The goal is to increase the effectiveness of enforcement actions while avoiding duplicate inspections or excessive administrative burdens for compliant operators. The protocol is designed to enhance efficiency, transparency, and coordination, thereby improving the integrity of the entire Italian iGaming ecosystem.
Legal foundation and tax reform framework
The protocol is part of a broader fiscal reform introduced by Legislative Decree No. 141 of 26 September 2024. Article 4 of this decree mandates a stronger institutional synergy between Italy’s customs authorities. The updated framework requires more strategic coordination in key areas, including customs, excise duties, cross-border cash flows, and now, public gambling. This legislative inclusion significantly elevates the regulatory profile of the gambling sector.
Smarter inspections and shared risk analysis
One of the core changes is the implementation of joint risk analysis and coordinated inspections nationwide. ADM and Guardia di Finanza will collaborate at both national and regional levels, sharing data, operational tools, and strategic information through integrated digital platforms. The joint approach aims to create smarter, more targeted, and more proportionate interventions, reducing pressure on compliant businesses.
Technical coordination on complex cases
The new protocol also enhances the handling of complex cases, particularly those involving indirect methods to reconstruct taxable income. When particularly intricate situations arise, the agreement provides for technical-operational meetings between Guardia di Finanza units and ADM officials. This mechanism fosters more accurate and balanced assessments, reducing potential discrepancies and reinforcing institutional alignment.
Establishing a permanent joint commission
The agreement introduces a Permanent Joint Commission comprising senior officials from both ADM and Guardia di Finanza, with expertise in gambling regulation, excise duties, customs, and anti-money laundering. The Commission is tasked with monitoring the implementation of the protocol, producing annual or multi-year reports, tracking enforcement results, and identifying systemic challenges or areas needing strategic attention.
Training and institutional alignment
Another cornerstone of the agreement is joint professional development. ADM and GdF will invest in shared training initiatives, allowing inspectors and analysts to align methodologies and reinforce institutional synergy. This investment in skills and shared knowledge will also benefit operators, who will experience more consistent, predictable, and professional oversight across different agencies.
Expanding international cooperation
The protocol also strengthens ADM and Guardia di Finanza’s cross-border collaboration. Recent memoranda of understanding signed with the customs authorities of Albania and Tunisia are part of a broader vision to establish international cooperation mechanisms, especially in sectors with high transnational exposure, such as online gambling.
What this means for iGaming operators
For licensed operators, this new institutional framework provides reassurance and long-term benefits. Inspections will become more coherent and less redundant, while enforcement against illegal operators will be more effective. The renewed protocol fosters a fair, competitive environment, protects legal investments, and enhances the overall perception of the regulated market.
Reinforcing legality in the digital gaming sector
This renewed agreement between ADM and Guardia di Finanza marks a significant milestone in Italy’s ongoing effort to strengthen legal protections within the gambling industry. It sends a clear message: operators who respect the law will work in a more stable and coordinated system, while those who evade rules will face a more unified and prepared institutional response.
This article was first published in Italian on 30 May 2025.
