Licensing System Goes Live After Technical Adjustments
The Agenzia delle Dogane e dei Monopoli (ADM) brought Italy’s restructured online gambling licensing framework into operation at 7am on Thursday, following a brief technical delay. The regulator required additional engineering work before switching on the new system, postponing the launch by several hours from its originally scheduled activation time.
ADM characterised the transition as a controlled market reset that immediately altered the operational landscape for licensed operators. The new framework prohibits the skin model that allowed companies to operate multiple websites under one licence, requiring each permit holder to maintain a single domain.
The regulator issued 52 online gambling licences under the new regime, though only 46 distinct operators are currently active since several companies secured multiple permits. Each licence carried a €7 million acquisition cost, generating €364 million in revenue for the Italian treasury.
Compliance Framework and Player Verification
The reformed system implements enhanced compliance requirements across all licensed operations. Players must now register using Italy’s SPID digital identity system or an electronic identity card, creating a standardised verification process that replaces previous authentication methods.
Mandatory responsible gambling tools remain central to the regulatory framework, including self-exclusion mechanisms and spending limit controls. These measures form part of ADM’s broader strategy to strengthen player protection standards across the Italian market.
Market Performance and Regulatory Outlook
Italy’s online gambling sector generated €5 billion in total wagers during 2024, positioning the country as Europe’s second-largest market behind the United Kingdom. Licensed operators reported €3.8 billion in gross gaming revenue over the same period, while tax collections reached €1.1 billion.
The licensing renewal process resulted in the departure of several international operators from the Italian market. Betway and Unibet were among the established brands that declined to apply for permits under the new regime, reducing the presence of multinational gaming companies in the jurisdiction.
The Italian government has signalled plans for additional regulatory reforms in 2026, focusing on the land-based gambling sector. Policymakers are also examining potential changes to the 2018 Dignity Decree, which imposed comprehensive restrictions on gambling advertising across all media channels.
Source: Italy Government
