The Prime Minister of Italy, Giorgia Meloni, has moved the introduction of gambling reforms to the front of the government’s agenda for spring 2026, with the Reorganization...
Italy’s new gambling licenses hit €350M target
Italy’s Ministry of Economy has received 46 applications for new online gambling licenses, each priced at €7 million.
This is a major shift from Italy’s previous licensing model, which charged just €200,000 per concession. Now, the framework doesn’t allow the use of multibrand platforms and limits the number of websites to only one. With this move, Italy plans to decrease the number of more than 400 gambling sites to only 50.
While major companies like Flutter Entertainment, Bet365, Lottomatica, Novomatic, and LeoVegas have already sent their applications, smaller operators raise concerns, accusing the government of making the market too expensive for new or mid-sized brands. But the ADM, Italy’s gambling authority, defended the change, saying it reflects market growth and ensures financial safeguards.
Currently, 81 operators generate over €5 billion annually, but the top 30 already control 94% of the market. So the country finds that having fewer operators will not only make it easier to monitor the market, but it will also create a safer environment for players.
With 52 licenses available, the government has already hit its €350 million revenue target. While Italy delays gambling reforms to 2026, final license approvals are expected by late 2025.
FAQs
Is gambling legal in Italy?
Gambling in Italy is legal and regulated.
What is the legal gambling age in Italy?
The legal gambling age in Italy is 18 years old.
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