Italy’s overhauled online gambling structure officially came into effect on November 14, ushering in a regulatory environment that the government views as more streamlined, more controlled, and better suited for one of Europe’s most active digital betting markets. The launch marks the start of a unified set of requirements governing how operators can participate in the Italian online gaming sector, from licensing rules to player verification procedures.
Regulatory Shift Begins as New Licences Take Effect
The Agenzia delle Dogane e dei Monopoli (ADM) put the new licensing regime into operation at 7am, confirming that 52 online concessions are now active. The transition began slightly later than the originally planned midnight rollout because engineers required extra time to finalise technical preparations. ADM described the initiation of the system as a “smooth and decisive reset,” signalling a clean break from the country’s previous multi-domain model.
Although 52 concessions were granted, the number of functioning operators is lower. Several companies secured more than one licence, bringing the total number of active operators to 46. With each concession priced at €7m, the reset generated €364m in revenue for the state — exceeding the Ministry of Economy and Finance’s initial expectation of €350m.
One of the most impactful changes is the end of the “skin” model that once allowed multiple websites to operate under a single licence. The updated rules now restrict each licensee to one official domain, forcing the closure of hundreds of websites overnight and simplifying the digital landscape that regulators must oversee.
Stronger Player Verification and a More Controlled Market
Italy’s new framework introduces tighter requirements for operators and reinforces player protections across the entire market. Self-exclusion mechanisms and mandatory spending limits remain part of the system, while new registration standards now require players to authenticate through the country’s SPID digital ID or an electronic ID card. ADM confirmed these obligations through a decree issued earlier in the week.
The Italian online gambling sector has grown into the second-largest in Europe. In the most recent full year, players generated €5bn in gross spending, leading to €3.8bn in operator revenue and €1.1bn in taxes paid to the state. Analysts expect those figures to rise further, forecasting that wagers could reach €6bn by 2025, raising potential state income to around €1.5bn.
The market reset has also reshaped the list of participating brands. Several well-known international operators — including Betway, Unibet, Betaland, Betn1, and 1xBet — chose not to renew their presence under the revised terms, effectively withdrawing from Italy’s regulated market.
Additional Reforms Expected in 2026
The latest licensing overhaul represents only the first stage of Italy’s broader reform strategy. The government plans to move ahead with a second phase in 2026, which will reorganise legislative oversight of land-based gambling venues, including bingo halls, casinos, arcades, and sports betting franchise networks. As part of this broader restructuring, officials are preparing to reopen long-running debates surrounding the 2018 Dignity Decree, which introduced Italy’s advertising and sponsorship restrictions.
Deputy Minister of Economy and Finance Maurizio Leo will coordinate these discussions alongside Sports Minister Andrea Abodi. Meetings with Serie A leadership — now under president Ezio Simonelli — are expected to play a major role, given football clubs’ continued calls for more flexible commercial rules.
ADM maintains that the ongoing changes will ultimately place Italy among Europe’s most compliant and efficiently governed gambling markets, completing a regulatory transformation that has been developing for years.
Source:
Italy dice benvenuto to new online gambling era, sbcnews.co.uk, November 14, 2025.
