Italy Begins New Online Gambling Regime
Italy has activated its revamped licensing system for online gambling, marking a major shift for one of Europe’s largest markets. The regulator now operates under new rules that streamline licensing and enforce stricter compliance. The updated framework aims to reshape how operators enter and manage activity in the country.
Licences Activated and Market Reset
The Italian regulator ADM switched on 52 new online gambling licences at 7am on Thursday. The launch arrived a few hours later than planned because engineers needed to make final technical adjustments. Despite the delay, ADM described the shift as a “smooth and decisive reset” for the industry.
The new framework immediately closed hundreds of websites, since skins are no longer permitted under the updated rules. Now, operators must use a single domain for each licence, which removes previous multi-site setups.
Although ADM issued 52 licences, only 46 operators are active because several companies hold more than one licence. Each licence required a €7m payment, generating €364m for the Italian state.
Market Impact and Future Legislative Plans
The updated regime introduces tighter compliance rules and stronger player safeguards across the market. All players must register using Italy’s SPID digital ID or an electronic ID card, which increases verification accuracy. Mandatory self-exclusion tools and spending limits remain in place to create a more controlled environment.
Italy’s online gambling sector reached €5bn in wagers last year, placing it just behind Britain in Europe. Operators recorded €3.8bn in revenue during that period, while the government collected €1.1bn in taxes.
Several major brands, including Betway and Unibet, chose not to apply for new licences, reducing the number of international giants in the market. The government now plans additional reforms in 2026, aiming to modernise the land-based sector and revisit the 2018 Dignity Decree that banned advertising.