The landscape of Italy’s online gambling industry is undergoing significant transformation as the Italian Customs and Monopolies Agency (ADM) has named 46 operators that have passed the first stage of its revamped remote gambling licensing process. This marks a critical phase in a regulatory overhaul designed to modernize the industry, strengthen compliance measures, and boost digital security standards across Italy.
Operators Face Key Deadlines and Requirements
After passing the initial evaluation, the approved operators now enter the second phase of the process, which comes with important deadlines. By August 6, 2025, they must submit detailed documentation to ADM, pay the first part of the one-time licensing fee amounting to €4 million, and provide a bank guarantee to cover potential liabilities. The next significant milestone will come on August 31, 2025, when the new licensing contracts will be executed, officially formalizing the transition to the updated regulatory framework.
As part of the overhaul, existing operators will be expected to transition into the new system promptly, with a second €3 million installment due unless otherwise directed by ADM. The current licenses are set to expire on September 17, 2025, though a short extension until September 30 may be granted to ensure a smooth transition for all parties involved.
Technological Integration and User Account Migration
A key aspect of the reform is the technical integration of all licensed operators with ADM’s new central platform. This integration will be the most complex part of the transition, as it requires all operators to update their systems to align with ADM’s new operational protocols. The integration process is expected to be fully completed by March 2026, at which point both the old and new systems will run concurrently.
Another significant feature of the reform is the migration of player accounts. Players who wish to move their accounts and balances to a newly licensed operator will be able to do so, but only if they provide explicit consent and fulfill any outstanding tax obligations. ADM’s measures are designed to protect players’ funds during this transition period and ensure that their accounts remain intact and accessible.
Operators exiting the market must cease all operations by August 17, 2025, and must inform their players about the forthcoming shutdown. All player accounts must be closed by September 17, 2025, with funds refunded to users. Any funds that are not claimed within two months will be transferred to the Italian state.
Starting July 8, 2025, operators exiting the market are required to submit weekly reports to ADM detailing their bank account balances and transactions. Non-compliance will result in immediate suspension from the market.
Compliance Oversight and Final Audits
As part of the broader reform, operators that are part of temporary business groupings (RTIs) must transition to becoming limited companies before entering into new licensing agreements. ADM requires operators to disclose any corporate changes they undergo and justify them accordingly.
Once the existing licenses expire, ADM will conduct final inspections, which will include checks for tax compliance, proper fund management, and proper closure of player accounts. Financial guarantees provided by operators will remain under scrutiny until all conditions are met. Should any discrepancies arise, ADM retains the authority to call upon the financial guarantees or demand further compensation.
Limited Opportunities for New Entrants
For operators that missed the opportunity to participate in this licensing tender, the path to entering the Italian market is now effectively closed. The new licenses, valid for nine years, mean that no new licensing rounds are expected for the foreseeable future.
However, ADM’s framework includes provisions for license transfers, allowing approved operators to sell their licenses to others, providing a possible route into the market for companies that missed out on the current tender. This process requires regulatory approval, limiting entry to a small group of potential buyers.
Strategic Partnerships for Exiting Operators
The reform has also created opportunities for affiliate partnerships between operators exiting the market and those staying on. These partnerships are typically revenue-sharing agreements based on the gaming activity of migrated player accounts, which allows operators exiting the market to maintain a degree of commercial involvement even after they leave the Italian gambling scene.
ADM has formalized the account migration process through a new circular, which allows for the automatic transfer of player balances from operators not renewing their licenses to those continuing with the new system. This process ensures that players do not have to re-register, preserving continuity and reducing potential disruptions.
Source:
Italy Pushes Forward With Major Online Gambling Reform, LCB.org, July 10, 2025
