Italy Moves Toward Overhaul of Online Gambling Sector with New Licenses

Italy’s online gaming industry stands at the edge of big changes as the government pushes forward with its licensing overhaul. The Customs and Monopolies Agency (ADM) has just finished the first screening process to issue new online gambling concessions, which marks a key step in a wide-ranging regulatory reform.

Italy’s ADM Greenlights 46 Key Operators amid Tightening Online Gambling Rules

The ADM’s review gave the green light to 46 operators to move on to the next stage of the licensing process. The chosen candidates include big names like 888 Italia, Betfair Italia, Sisal, William Hill Malta, and LeoVegas. This initial selection shows a dedication to creating a safer and clearer gaming environment, with a focus on operators that meet tough technological and financial standards.

Regulators will finish a thorough examination of technical and financial papers by the end of July 2025. Companies that make it through this phase must then pay the first part of the license fee, which comes to €4 million ($4.7 million), and show they have €3.7 million ($4.3 million) in financial backing.

The schedule for this change is short. The current online gambling permits will run out on September 17, 2025, but they might get a quick extension until September 30. The ADM plans to finish the final steps for licensing in August and September to keep services running without a break.

After completing the paperwork, the next step is to ensure technical compliance. Chosen operators must install cutting-edge digital systems that work with ADM’s secure platform. This changeover period will take six months, aiming to put the new rules into action by March 2026. In the meantime, old systems will run alongside the new setup until the final switch when operators will also need to pay the second license fee of €3 million ($3.5 million).

Key Gambling Reform Requires Operators to Close Accounts or Transfer Funds by August 2025

A key part of the reform deals with handling players’ accounts. The ADM will let users move their accounts to new operators as long as they follow tax rules and players agree. For operators left out of the process, all accounts need to close by August 17, 2025, and any money left should go back to customers. If funds remain unclaimed after two months, they will go to the state treasury.

Additional rules require weekly reports on account activity. If operators do not comply, they will face immediate suspension. In addition, all temporary business groups must change into joint-stock companies before they sign contracts. This helps to make companies more open and clear.

This change in regulations is not just a routine update. It marks a turning point for Italy’s gambling sector. The goal is to create a gaming market that is safer and more responsible, while keeping services running.