Italy Introduces New Regulations for Online Gambling Concessions
The Customs and Monopolies Agency (ADM), which oversees gambling regulation in Italy, has submitted comprehensive documentation detailing the new rules for online gambling concessions. This documentation was sent to the Treasury following the publication of the framework in the parliamentary gazette in April.
Increased Licence Fees and Revenue Share
The new framework significantly increases the licence fee for online gambling operators. The fee is now 35 times the previous €200,000 fee established in 2018. Additionally, operators will be required to pay 3 per cent of their annual gross gaming revenue (GGR) after taxes.
The Ministry of Finance justified the fee hike, citing changes in market dynamics dominated by a few large operators such as SNAI, Lottomatica (after acquiring SKS365), Flutter, and Entain.
Legislative Process and Implementation
The new rules will be incorporated into Italy’s Decree on the Reorganisation of Gambling, which traditionally addresses land-based gaming matters. Before implementation, the technical rules will be submitted to the European Commission for evaluation, necessitating a three-month standstill period.
Licensees must ensure that their games and systems are verified by an external certification body. The ADM will also gain new powers to monitor player funds, enhancing regulatory oversight.
Statement from ADM
Antonio Giuliani, head of ADM’s online office, outlined the transition process for operators: “The Agency will set a D-day for current operators to start collecting bets with the new regime. The others will have up to six months to launch the system, as established by the law. We will guarantee equal conditions for current licensees and new operators who obtain a licence.”
Recent Changes in Bonus Management
Last month, new rules for bonus management were implemented in Italy. These changes introduced legislative criteria for the use of bonuses, including terms and conditions, payment methods, and tax implications.
Operators had long called for these changes to clarify the methodology for calculating the cost of bonus rewards. Under the new rules, tax calculations will consider both the bonus applied and any stake placed by the player.
Addressing Palpable Errors
The ADM has also established a process to handle palpable errors, allowing for systematic corrections without resorting to legal action. This change was introduced following requests from bookmakers who faced disputes with customers over such errors.
