The Italian government has completed the initial stage of transforming its online gambling market. The phase has been rounded with the approval of 46 operators, who will become the main driving force in the formation of a consolidated structure for digital gaming in the country.
First Results of the Reform
Each ratified brand is required to pay a fixed licence fee of €7 million (around $8.19 million). Of this, €4 million is contributed in advance, and the rest is due after the full rollout of the updated regulatory system. The deadline for implementing the entire program is set for March 2026.
Italy’s Ministry of Economy and Finance confirmed that the planned target for certification revenues of €350 million has been achieved following the tender. According to ADM, which oversees all gambling verticals in the state, 52 concessions were planned to be granted.
Among the 46 approved applications are well-known brands, including:
Mario Lollobrigida, ADM’s Gaming Director, called concerns about the excessively high licence cost unfounded. He emphasised stable market growth in 2023 and 2024, and the continued trend in Q1 2025, with an increase of 10%. Operators will hardly benefit from refusing to work in such a stable and well-developed sector. The established price may even seem underestimated over time.
The regulator’s main opponent was the industry group LOGiCO, which accused the agency of deliberately ousting small brands from the market. ADM’s management did not deny the fact of accelerated consolidation, but stressed that it contributes to more responsible and sustainable growth of the sphere as a whole.
Primary Objectives of the Initiative
The country’s reform provides for a 35-fold increase in the previous fee size, which for a long time did not exceed €200,000.
This decision is aimed at achieving several important goals, such as:
- modernising the industry;
- reducing market fragmentation;
- strengthening compliance standards.
ADM emphasises that a sharp rise in the fiscal burden is a necessary and justified measure.
This move will allow for:
- enhancing user protection;
- maintaining the state’s financial stability;
- ensuring compliance with international regulatory norms.
Requirements for Licence Applicants
Operators working in the Italian market must switch to the new rules by September 17th, 2025. In some cases, an extension to the end of the month is allowed. Platforms that have not applied for recertification are required to shut down their activities by August 17th and return money to customers.
Also, another new standard came into force on July 8th, 2025: niche companies must report on any movement of funds in their accounts every week. Violation of this condition entails immediate suspension of the permit.
After the application is approved, the maximum period for launching operations that comply with the new framework is half a year. During this time, temporary use of previous tools is allowed, but by March 2026, they have to be optimised or completely replaced.
Technical modernisation implies the following:
- each licence is limited to only one trade name and domain;
- brands must integrate the gambling platforms with ADM’s central system;
- enhanced requirements for digital security and data protection were introduced.
Expectations from the iGaming Reform
According to industry experts, the legal changes in the country will lead to a sharp reduction in the number of gaming websites. Currently, there are approximately 420 of them, and by the spring of 2026, there may be no more than 50 left.
In 2024, 81 companies operated under the Italian gambling licence, generating a total GGR of around €5 billion. About 94% of the revenue was delivered by 30 of the largest brands. The reform launched by the government accelerated the process of industry consolidation by ousting small local studios.
Other Measures to Transform the Market
The increase in fees was only the first stage of a major program. The government is already in talks with municipal authorities to reconsider the regulations governing land-based casinos.
In parallel, work is underway to revise the 2018 Dignity Decree, which provides for a complete ban on gambling advertising. To address this issue, a special committee has been created with representatives of regional media, as well as CONI and Serie A organisations. Its task is to develop an up-to-date code of conduct for operators that combines commercial freedom with public health priorities.
The final package of reforms is planned to be published and implemented by spring 2026. The launch of a new system with financial guarantees for businesses and players alike is scheduled for March. After that, the Italian gambling segment will be considered officially open and brought into full compliance with international standards.
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