Italy has officially established a new licensing scheme for online gaming concessions, marking the completion of phase one of the government’s gambling industry reorganization in 2024.
The final approval of Italy’s new licensing framework was reported in the EU’s Official Journal, allowing the Italian government to grant new nine-year licences for online gambling concessions.
The Italian government’s proposals, presented to the European Commission (EC) in November, were delayed owing to a ‘detailed opinion’ supplied by the Malta Gambling Authority (MGA) on B2B technicalities, resulting in a ‘longer standstill time’ for the licensing framework.
Despite the delay, the EC promised modifications sought by the Ministry of Finance and Customs and the Monopolies Agency (ADM) to impose a €7 million authorisation fee for each online gaming license. The new licensing cost will be imposed alongside a 3% operational charge for concessionaires.
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Licensing Information and Timelines
The European Commission promised crucial adjustments to the Italian Ministry of Finance (MEF) and Customs and Monopolies Agency (ADM), including a €7 million authorisation fee for each online gambling license.
The levy will be applied in addition to a 3% operating fee for concessionaires. Applications for the new concessions must be filed by May 30, 2025, with the process estimated to take nine months following the tender’s release.
To qualify, candidates must fulfill stringent qualifying requirements, including demonstrated experience managing and running gaming platforms in the European Economic Area (EEA).
Operators must have legal or operational headquarters in the EEA, possess a valid licence, and show total sales more than €3 million over the previous two fiscal years. Each candidate is allowed to apply for up to five concessions. Payments for the €7 million licence can be payable in two installments: €4 million upon award and €3 million upon operations start, which must take place within six months of getting the concession.
The ADM forecasts that about 50 operators will apply for these new licences, producing an estimated income of €350 million and an extra €100 million yearly from fixed concession fees.
Guarantees and Anti-corruption Measures
Applicants must provide a €750,000 interim guarantee issued as a deposit or’surety bond’ by approved banks or financial intermediaries.
A final guarantee of €3.7 million for 2025, equivalent to 10% of the overall offer value (€37.1 million), will also be required. Subsequent guarantees will consist of a set quota of €500,000 and a variable component dependent on operational performance. Additionally, operators must pay a €560 charge to ANAC, Italy’s National Anti-Corruption Authority.
Phase 2: Italy will settle land-based and Dignity Decree conflicts.
In 2025, ADM and MEF will enter phase 2 of the gambling sector’s restructuring, with an emphasis on creating consistent federal legislation across Italy and strengthening protections for gaming facilities. Negotiations with regional governments are ongoing to standardize regulations across the country with the goal of successfully combating unlawful gaming.
One of the most anticipated reforms is the rewriting of the contentious Dignity Decree, which was enacted by the former Lega-5-Star administration and outlawed gambling advertising and sponsorships in 2019.
In an interview with La Verità last week, Roberto Alesse, Director General of the ADM, stated that the blanket ban had been “economically damaging” to Italy, with measures disputed by Serie A teams, media outlets, and trade associations.
Alesse described the Dignity Decree as a “hypocritical regulation” and argued that amendments will bring Italy’s standards in line with European norms while balancing regulatory control, economic growth, and consumer protection.
ADM: Italy might lead Europe in gaming legislation.
The ADM sees these measures as a chance to reestablish Italy as a leader in the European gaming business, resulting in increased tax revenues while protecting customers from illegitimate operators. However, the ADM faces problems, including a 6% decrease in gaming tax revenues in 2023, with €11.62 billion collected—a number that is expected to fall further in 2024.
Alesse found that Italy’s gaming policies seek balanced restrictions that promote economic activity while combating illicit gambling. “In a liberal state, legal gaming cannot withstand heavy bans. We must align national standards with those demanded by Europe.
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