Italy's gambling industry: Resilient growth and regulatory shake-up in 2025
Italy’s gambling industry has just come through a transformative spring marked by record growth, tighter regulations, and one of the most hotly contested lottery concessions in recent history.
With the Customs and Monopolies Agency (ADM) steering the ship, Italy is rebalancing its gambling landscape to align with the needs of a digitised economy while keeping a close eye on public health and tax revenues.
Online gambling outpaces the pack
There’s no denying the numbers. Italy’s gross gaming revenue (GGR) hit €21.6 billion in 2024, up 4.4% from the year before. The big driver? Online gambling. Digital GGR alone jumped to €5 billion, a 17% rise from 2023, while land-based gambling also held its ground, climbing to €16.5 billion.
Total online bets cleared €92 billion, overtaking the €65 billion spent in physical venues and pushing the overall wagering total to €157.5 billion.
On 21 May 2025, ADM Director General Roberto Alesse spoke at the second edition of the State General Summit, saying:
“The sector’s resilience and fiscal importance are evident. But it is equally important that our oversight remains rigorous, particularly as the market becomes more digitised.”
And that’s backed up by the stats. Online casinos were the clear front-runners, with player spending in September 2024 alone up 22.4% year-on-year.
Tax revenues from gambling have held steady at €11.6 billion, reinforcing just how central this sector is to the country’s finances. As Alesse put it:
“We are faced with a significant sector in which various rights must be guaranteed: on the one hand, the protection of public health and, on the other, the stability of tax revenue.”
A new lotto era and a tighter grip on compliance
The ADM’s regulatory revamp didn’t stop at data points. The first half of 2024 saw over 19,000 inspections, leading to 3,319 administrative penalties and the blocking of 721 unauthorised gambling websites. Tax assessments from enforcement topped €72.5 million, reflecting a more assertive stance from the regulator.
But the headline act was the awarding of the Lotto concession, arguably the most prized contract in Italy’s public gaming portfolio. The LottoItalia consortium, made up of IGT, Allwyn, Novomatic, and the Tobacco Retailers Federation, snagged the nine-year licence with a €2.23 billion bid, more than doubling the €1 billion starting figure and edging out Flutter-owned Sisal.
IGT’s leadership commented on the win:
“The Italian Lotto concession is one of the world’s most important lottery contracts,” said Marco Sala, IGT’s Executive Chair. “IGT and its predecessor companies have successfully managed the license for 30+ years through constant innovation and the introduction of cutting-edge technology.”
CEO Vince Sadusky added:
“The €2,230 million investments in upfront fees reflect the significant value of the new license and IGT is confident that the investment will enhance our revenue and profit potential.”
The new agreement runs until November 2034 and includes a 6% commission on wagers, plus an 8% fee on direct-to-consumer online activity, with payments staggered over three instalments.
Retail gambling reforms on the table
While digital channels are dominating the growth charts, the focus is now shifting toward reforming the retail gambling sector. Deputy Economy Minister Maurizio Leo confirmed that a draft bill is on its way to Parliament. The proposal extends the reform timeline to the end of 2025, with discussions expected to address shop locations, licensing uniformity, and social protections.
The message is clear: digital and physical operations must coexist.
Alesse stated, “As seen in the UK, digitalisation enhances market access and oversight but must be balanced with the physical ecosystem.”
The proposed changes would set nationwide standards, particularly around how close gambling shops can be to sensitive sites like schools and hospitals, and expand safeguards for at-risk groups.
Eyes on the future: AI and transparency
The ADM’s roadmap for 2025–2027 includes doubling its inspection rate, improving transparency, and introducing real-time monitoring using artificial intelligence. The aim is to keep pace with a rapidly evolving sector without letting social responsibility slip through the cracks.
As Alesse noted, “The successes achieved are the result of the work of over 12,000 employees. The human capital performs an essential task for the Agency, which must integrate existing skills with the acquisition of new experts, such as those in artificial intelligence.”
Italy’s gambling market is growing, but it’s also tightening up. With regulators dialling up enforcement, digital operators flourishing, and reforms in the pipeline, the country is shaping up to be one of Europe’s most closely watched markets. Whether you’re inside the industry or keeping tabs from the sidelines, Italy’s gambling game is far from static.
