Online gambling law and regulation in Italy

Legislative Decree No. 41/2024 (the “Decree”) introduces a comprehensive and systematic reform of the Italian public gaming sector, implementing the delegation granted under the Tax Reform Law (Law No. 111/2023). This first phase of the reform specifically targets the regulation of remote gaming.

The Decree is based on a set of core principles, both national and EU-derived, aimed at fostering responsible gaming, explicitly prohibiting access to minors, and ensuring compliance with public order and health protection standards.

As regards the licensing framework, the Decree establishes a new concession-based regime for the offering of public games through remote channels, to be awarded via public tender procedures and subject to detailed legal, technical and operational requirements.

In addition to traditional categories of games, the new regime also encompasses games operated in virtual or digital environments, including those offered through the metaverse, provided they are established and regulated by the competent authorities.

Licences will be granted for a maximum term of nine years, with no option for renewal, and may be awarded exclusively to operators selected through public tenders managed by the Italian Customs and Monopolies Agency (“ADM”).

Each corporate group is entitled to a maximum of five licences, and each licence is subject to a one-off entry fee of EUR 7 million.

On 17 December 2024, ADM officially launched the public tender procedure for the allocation of online gaming licences in accordance with the provisions of the Decree. Operators were required to submit their applications by 30 May 2025. The selection process is currently ongoing and, as of 2 July 2025, 46 operators have been formally admitted to the first phase of the procedure.