Italian Government Revises iGaming Regulations to Boost Market Stability

Initial Outcomes of the Reform

Each ratified brand must pay a fixed licence fee of €7 million (approximately $8.19 million). Of this, €4 million is contributed upfront, with the remaining amount due upon the full deployment of the revised regulatory system. The deadline for implementing the entire programme is set for March 2026.

Italy’s Ministry of Economy and Finance affirmed that the €350 million target for certification revenues was met after the tender. According to ADM, responsible for overseeing all gambling niches in the country, 52 concessions were planned to be granted.

The list of 46 approved applications includes renowned companies, such as:

• IGT;
• bet365;
• Betsson;
• DAZN Bet;
• Lottomatica;
• Novomatic, etc.

Mario Lollobrigida, ADM’s Gaming Director, dismissed concerns about the unreasonably high licence cost as baseless. He pointed out a consistent market rise in 2023 and 2024, as well as the ongoing trend in Q1 2025, which experienced a 10% increase. Refusing to work in such a sustainable and thriving sector is unlikely to benefit operators. In fact, the current pricing might even appear undervalued over time.

The industry group LOGiCO was the regulator’s main opponent, accusing the agency of intentionally ousting small brands from the market. ADM’s management acknowledged the fact of accelerated consolidation, but emphasised that it facilitates more responsible and stable growth of the sector overall.

Initiative’s Main Goals

The state’s reform stipulates a 35-fold enlargement in the previous fee size, which had long remained below €200,000.

This decision aims to accomplish key objectives, including:

• modernising the industry;
• enhancing compliance norms;
• decreasing market fragmentation.

ADM highlights that a significant upsurge in the fiscal burden is both necessary and justified.

This measure is intended to:

• improve customer protection;
• uphold the state’s financial stability;
• ensure adherence to international regulatory standards.

Requirements for Licence Applicants

Entrepreneurs operating in the Italian market must switch to the new rules by September 17th, 2025. In certain cases, a deadline extension until the end of the month may be granted. Platforms that have not requested recertification are obliged to cease operations by August 17th and refund customers.

Additionally, another new standard took effect on July 8th, 2025: niche brands are required to report weekly on any fund movements in their accounts. Failing to comply with this condition results in the immediate suspension of the permit.

Once the application is approved, companies have up to 6 months to begin operations under the new framework. During this period, they may temporarily employ previous tools. However, by March 2026, these instruments must be either optimised or entirely replaced.

Technical modernisation entails the following:

• each license is limited to a single trade name and domain;
• operators are required to integrate gambling portals with ADM’s central system;
• improved standards for web security and data protection have been implemented.

Anticipations from the iGaming Reform

Industry specialists predict that the legal changes in the state will considerably decrease the presence of entertainment portals. Right now, there are about 420 websites. However, by spring 2026, this number is expected to decline to as few as 50.

In 2024, 81 brands held the Italian gambling licence, producing approximately €5 billion in GGR. Nearly 94% of the revenue came from the 30 largest corporations. The government's reform sped up industry consolidation by displacing smaller local companies.

Additional Efforts for Market Transformation

The enlargement in fees was just the initial phase of a broader initiative. The government is currently discussing with municipal officials to review the rules related to land-based casino venues.

Meanwhile, efforts are underway to update the 2018 Dignity Decree, which fully prohibits gambling advertising. To address this, a special committee has been formed with representatives from regional media, as well as CONI and Serie A organisations. Its main goal is to create an up-to-date code of conduct for operators that balances commercial freedom with public health priorities.

The final set of reforms is scheduled for publication and implementation by spring 2026. A new system offering financial guarantees to both businesses and players is set to launch in March. Following this, the Italian gambling sector will be regarded as officially opened and brought into full compliance with international standards.

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