Key Points
- Italy’s ADM is issuing 46 new €7M online gambling licenses by March 2026, consolidating the €5B market and reducing sites from 420 to 50.
- Higher fees, 24.5–25.5% taxes, and a one-domain rule favor large operators, but critics warn of black-market growth due to ad bans.
- Enhanced protections like deposit limits aim to curb youth gambling, though reduced competition may limit betting options.
Italy is transforming its online gambling sector with a new licensing regime, as the Customs and Monopolies Agency (ADM) advances plans to issue 46 new licenses, each costing €7 million, with full implementation by March 2026.
Announced on July 8, 2025, the reform aims to consolidate the market, enhance player protections, and boost state revenue, but it faces concerns over reduced competition. You’re seeing a major shift in Europe’s second-largest regulated gambling market, impacting operators and bettors alike.
Why the Reform Is Happening
The ADM’s overhaul responds to Italy’s €5 billion online gambling market growth, up 17% in 2024, and aims to address issues like black-market activity and lax oversight.
The new framework replaces the previous €250,000 license fee with a €7 million fee (€4 million upfront, €3 million in guarantees) and imposes a one-domain-per-license rule, reducing the number of gambling sites from 420 to around 50.
A 2024 audit revealed €1.2 billion in unreported taxes from 2019–2023, prompting stricter compliance. For you, this means a more regulated but potentially less diverse betting landscape.
See also:
- New Jersey Bans Sportsbook Partnerships with Public Colleges to Protect Students
- UKGC Fines Could Exceed 15% of Operator GGY Under New Regulatory Framework
- Brazil Senate Postpones Land-Based Casino Vote
Impact on Operators and Bettors
Operators like 888 Italia and Betfair, among the 46 applicants, face higher entry costs and taxes—24.5% on sportsbook revenue and 25.5% on casino revenue—plus a 0.2% GGR contribution (up to €1 million) for responsible gambling.
The one-domain rule ends multi-brand operations, forcing consolidation. Bettors may see fewer platforms but improved protections, like mandatory deposit limits and self-exclusion tools.
X posts highlight the reform’s scale, with some operators praising transparency but others warning of market exclusion for smaller firms. For you, this could mean fewer choices but safer platforms.
Challenges and Industry Concerns
The high €7 million license fee and strict regulations, upheld by the Lazio Regional Administrative Court, may exclude smaller operators, favoring giants like Bet365, which secured a Napoli sponsorship deal to navigate advertising bans.
Critics argue the reforms could push bettors to unregulated sites, which evade ADM oversight and offer better odds but lack protections.
Italy’s 2019 Dignity Decree, banning gambling ads, already limits legal operator visibility, exacerbating black-market risks. For you, this underscores the need to verify platform licensing to avoid fraud.
Broader Implications for Italy’s Gambling Market
The reform aligns with Italy’s 2025 Budget Law, which cut fixed-odds horse betting taxes from 43% to 20.5% but raised online gambling taxes, projecting €1 billion in state revenue.
The ADM’s transparent license registry and stricter age controls aim to curb the 64% of 15–17-year-olds gambling annually, as noted in a 2024 study. However, consolidating the market risks reducing competition, potentially strengthening unlicensed operators. For you, this means a more controlled but possibly less innovative betting environment as Italy balances revenue and responsibility.
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