The Italian gambling regulator, Agenzia delle Dogane e dei Monopoli (ADM), has reduced the number of licensed online casinos from 407 to 52. Starting November 13, the 52 new licensees will offer online games and monopolies. This marks a new era in the Italian gambling industry, as operators adapt to increased regulatory oversight.
Italian Gambling Regulator Issues 52 Fresh Licences: Key Insights
- The 52 new gambling licences that the Agenzia delle Dogane e dei Monopoli (ADM) issued went live at 7 a.m. on Thursday, November 13. This decision reduces the number of licensed online gaming sites in Italy from 407 to 52.
- Forty-six gaming companies hold all 52 licences, restoring balance to the industry. The permit holders must comply with established gambling legislation, AML/CFT protocols, and responsible gambling best practices.
- Each licence costs €7 million, generating €364 million for the Italian state. The figure surpassed the Ministry of Finance’s earlier projection of €350 million in total revenue.
New Licensing Regime to Restrict Affiliate-run “Skin” Betting Sites
The Agenzia delle Dogane e dei Monopoli (ADM) recently updated its gambling licensing requirements, improving regulatory oversight and increasing barriers for entry. The new framework reduced the number of licensed betting platforms from 407 to 52, and the freshly issued permits went live at 7 a.m. on Thursday, November 13.
A total of 46 operators own all 52 licences, each costing €7 million. The exercise generated a handsome €364 million for the Italian exchequer, exceeding the Ministry of Economy and Finance’s initial projections of €350 million. The additional revenue signals high operator commitment despite increased regulatory oversight.
The heightened regulations underscore Italy’s commitment to aligning its gambling policies with those of its European neighbours. Ireland recently updated its gambling licensing framework to align with EU standards. The need for stricter legislation surfaced as online casinos in Ireland continued to attract new players every quarter.
While major players remain largely unaffected by the new licensing requirements, smaller affiliate-run “skin” gambling sites will be forced to cease operations. Lawmakers claim over 350 of the 407 gambling sites operating in Italy were skin sites. This drastic reduction in gaming operations will improve oversight and reduce gambling harm.
Consumer safety is the cornerstone of Italy’s new gambling reforms. Apart from mandatory self-exclusion tools, similar to the ones in Romania, and deposit caps, operators in Italy must also integrate SPID digital IDs or electronic ID cards for customer registration. The ADM says this will reduce underage gambling and establish a clear digital footprint.
The Road Ahead for the Italian Gambling Industry
Italy had the largest gambling market in Europe in 2023, according to the European Gaming and Betting Association’s (EGBA) reports. In 2024, the sector reported €5 billion in gross player spending, generating €3.8 billion in operator revenue and €1 billion in taxes. Analysts predict that the figures will increase to €6 billion and €1.5 billion, respectively, in 2025.
The licensing reform has also forced international gambling operators to rethink their strategy for Italy, with many choosing to exit the market rather than renew their licence. ADM representatives have labelled the transition as a “smooth and decisive reset”. This is news for the Italian market, which has historically suffered from fragmented laws and limited oversight.
The Italian government has big plans to reorganise the gambling legislation. In 2026, the second phase of the reform process will be initiated. This time, the focus will be on regulating land-based gaming operators, including bingo halls, arcades, casinos, and sports betting establishments.
The Giorgia Meloni-led government also plans to revisit the controversial 2018 “Dignity Decree”, which imposed a blanket ban on gambling advertisements and sponsorship agreements. Deputy Minister Maurizio Leo and Sports Minister Andrea Abodi will lead the discussion with industry stakeholders and Serie A representatives.
Sponsorship remains a point of contention between gambling regulators and football officials in Europe. The UK Gambling Commission CEO, Andrew Rhodes, recently stifled rumours that the gambling regulator has “softened” its stance on football betting. He also spoke about how the Commission deals with regulatory challenges, industry pushback, and the constant threat of litigation.