Italy brings sweeping iGaming change

Content Team November 1, 2023

SiGMA news

Italy brings sweeping iGaming change

The Italian Ministry of the Economy and Finance (MEF) is introducing sweeping changes to the country’s online gambling sector.

This marks the first regulatory evaluation of the online gambling legislation in Italy since the sector’s authorisation in 2011.

Changes

The proposed changes include amendments to online gambling concessions, licensing fees, regulatory oversight, and measures to combat illegal gambling.

Online gambling concessions will now be priced at €7 million, a significant increase from the previous median concession fee of €300,000.

The number of available licences per firm is now capped at five. This is in order to prevent the practice of “skin websites” selling single concessionaire products.

Taxation

No tax changes are proposed for the sector at this time while the government has its focus keenly set on finalising retail gambling venue laws.

Despite this, a 2 percent adjustment on online gross revenue fees is recommended.

The MEF is also suggesting the establishment of a “Public Gaming Council” to oversee and propose anti-gambling measures.

Recent pressures

Government agencies will be implementing new controls to combat illegal gambling when targeted at Italian consumers.

This is particularly significant in light of the recent betting scandals involving some professional footballers, Sandro Tonali of Newcastle United and Nicolo Fagioli of Juventus.

Both players have only recently received spotting bans for their involvement.

There are also numerous reports that Italian consumers wager €4bn on black market websites, which has prompted the MEF to call for a revision in government protections to strengthen the market’s defences and exclude illicit operators.

The full text of the preliminary decree will be presented to PM Giorgia Meloni as a Ministry resolution in the government’s Budget Law for 2024.

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