Italy Ready to Finalize Its New Rules for Gaming Concessions

Italy is on the verge of implementing a sweeping reform in its gambling sector, which promises to significantly alter the way gaming operators conduct business. The Agency of Customs and Monopolies (ADM) has put the final touch on a new regulatory framework for online gaming concessions—one of the most significant overhauls in recent years.

The New Rules Will Consolidate the Industry

The most notable change introduced by the ADM is the substantial increase in the cost of obtaining a license for online gambling. Before the new rules came into existence, a permit would cost operators €200,000 ($219,120), and under the new regulations, it has gone up to a whopping €7 million ($7,67 million) for a nine-year license.

A rise of this magnitude reflects the rising cost of regulation and ensures that only serious and financially stable companies can operate in the market. This new licensing fee is 35 times higher than the previous cost, a move that will likely favor large, established operators such as SNAI, Flutter Entertainment, Lottomatica, and Entain, who dominate the Italian market.

Gaming operators had mixed reactions regarding the changes. Some expressed concern that the update may push smaller companies out of the market, reducing diversity and customer choice. A more consolidated market is not necessarily bad, as the remaining companies create a robust foundation that matches Italy’s vision for a fair and equitable industry.

Customers Will Benefit from a Safer Market

Erik King, founder of Italian online gambling operator aggregate website Grazieslots.com, commented on this matter for local news outlet uagna.it. He was cautiously optimistic about the changes, noting that while the higher costs could cause some initial hiccups, they should lead to a more stable and secure market.

“The regulatory framework aims to encourage competition among existing licensees and new online gaming operators, but it will require significant adaptation, especially from smaller operators.”

Erik King, grazieslots.com founder

Despite such concerns, all stakeholders agree that the new regulations should greatly benefit players. The ADM has introduced stricter conditions on operators regarding money transactions and the management of player accounts. Such measures should create a safer and more transparent gaming environment to decrease the risk of fraud and ensure the safety of players’ funds.

“With these new solid regulatory rules, the Italian gambling market has all the credentials to become a global leader in the sector.”

Erik King, grazieslots.com founder

Italy has until 18 October 2024 to finalize the new regulations. The government plans to start the remote gambling licensing procedure by early January 2025, giving operators sufficient time to prepare. This renewed focus on regulation should improve the player experience by prioritizing customer safety, making Italy more attractive to domestic and international players.