Final draft of Italy’s land-based gaming reforms is about to be released

(AsiaGameHub) –   The Conferenza Unificata is currently reviewing the final details for the much-anticipated reform of Italy’s land-based gaming regulations.

Italy.- The Council of Ministers is anticipated to release the final draft of its legislative decree concerning land-based gambling in Italy on April 10, following years of discussions. The Conferenza Unificata, an institution representing Italy’s 20 regions and 110 municipalities, is presently examining the last concessions.

Last year saw a restructuring of the online gambling framework in Italy, with a new licensing process concluded in November. The upcoming land-based gaming reforms will introduce a more unified regulatory framework for the sector, replacing the current fragmented approach. These reforms will include stricter regulations on venue operating hours and minimum distance requirements.

Under the new concession model for land-based gambling activities, gaming machine operations will require a minimum bid of €25 million for packages that include 4,000 AWPs and 900 VLTs. Retail betting shops will have the option to apply for bundles of 25 licenses, each priced at €60,000, with a base bid of €1.5 million. Bingo hall licenses will have a starting bid of €350,000 per venue.

Licensed operators will be required to adhere to a certification system, and venues must be situated at least 100 meters away from sensitive locations, such as schools. Oversight will be enhanced through a permanent committee dedicated to monitoring problem gambling. Additionally, tighter anti-money laundering controls will be implemented, overseen by the regulator, the Customs and Monopolies Agency (ADM).

The reforms have experienced delays due to negotiations with regional and municipal authorities regarding the distribution of tax revenue. Agreements have been reached to provide regions with an initial €80 million through a revenue-sharing arrangement stipulated by the 2026 Budget Law.

The protracted negotiation process has led to temporary extensions for current gaming, betting, and bingo concessions. The hope is that the reforms will be officially approved by August 29, bringing this period of extensions to an end.

According to the local industry news outlet Agipro, gaming machine tax revenue decreased by €250 million in 2025. This decline has raised concerns that the delays in drafting the reforms may be contributing to the growth of the unlicensed market, which is now estimated to be worth €30–35 billion across both retail and online channels.

In parallel, the communication watchdog Agcom has accepted proposed recommendations to establish a formal framework for responsible gambling messages. The agency now intends to initiate a one-month public consultation on the proposed guidelines for how operators should present responsible gambling messages to the public.