Malta’s concerns delay Italy’s licence tender

Garance Limouzy October 22, 2024

Italy’s highly anticipated online gambling tender is facing a one-month delay, following a detailed opinion submitted by Malta to the European Commission. The tender, which aims to introduce the new regimes of gambling concessions in Italy, was initially expected to proceed after the standstill period ended on 18 October. However, the extension pushes this deadline to 18 November, as Malta raises concerns on several regulatory issues.

Malta’s concerns

The Maltese intervention has prompted the European Commission to extend the standstill period. Malta’s submission focused on three primary issues:

– The requirement for B2B companies to obtain a licence before operating in the Italian market.

– A ban on operators managing “skins” or secondary brands under a single licence.

– Improved safeguards to ensure online access checks prevent underage gambling.

These points have delayed the tender process, with Italy now needing to respond to the opinion. The Italian Treasury is expected to provide clarifications in the coming days, and the tender is likely to proceed in early 2025, once the European Commission’s requirements are met.

Planned changes to Italy’s online gambling landscape

Under the new framework, licence fees are set to surge dramatically from €200,000 to €7 million. This fee increase is seen as a way to strengthen financial safeguards within the industry, making it more difficult for smaller operators to enter the market. Licence holders will also need to pay 3 percent of their gross gambling revenue, in addition to regular taxes.

The concessions, which will be valid for nine years, are expected to reshape the Italian market. Current operators must reapply under the new system, which includes strict rules limiting each operator to one app and one website per type of gambling activity.

Additional revenue and market regulation

The Italian Ministry of Economy and Finance estimates that at least 50 operators will seek licences, generating €350 million in one-time concession fees and an additional €100 million annually over the next nine years. In addition, approximately 30,000 online agents are expected to pay an annual fee of €100 each for registration, contributing more than €3 million per year.

The new system also prioritises responsible gambling measures, with operators required to introduce time and loss limits for players. Automatic messages will alert players if they exceed their preset limits during a session, as part of broader efforts to prevent gambling addiction.

What lies ahead

With the standstill now extended until mid-November, Italy’s online gambling market remains in a state of uncertainty. The country’s gambling authority, ADM, is expected to publish the final tender early next year, pending resolution of Malta’s concerns. Though changes to the current regulations are not anticipated, the delay gives Italy time to ensure full compliance with EU laws. As the Italian government prepares its official response, industry stakeholders are watching closely.