Italy approves 46 applications for new online gambling licences
Italy’s Agenzia delle dogane e dei Monopoli (ADM) has confirmed that 46 applications have been approved for new online gambling licences in the country.
The ADM officially ended its tender process to award remote gambling concessions in Italy on 30 May. After reviewing submissions, an initial list of licensees has now been formed.
Among the operators featured on the approved list are Betfair, Snaitech and Sisal, all owned by Flutter Entertainment. Also securing approval were 888 Italia (Evoke), Hillside (Bet365), LeoVegas and William Hill.
Other successful applicants included Admiral Sport, Betsson, BetPoint, BetPremium Eurobet Italia, Greentube, Marathonbet, Win Bet and Winamax.
Operators will now proceed to the next phase of licensing, which will involve paying the required fee. In total, a licence in the new-look market will cost €7 million ($8.2 million) per vertical per brand.
The ADM will carry out further checks over the coming weeks before formally awarding the licences. This is expected to take place in September, with operators then having six months to launch in Italy.
However, to allow for transition, the ADM will permit existing licence-holders to continue to offer gambling until March 2026. After this date, only those with new licences will be able to operate in the country.
Increased fees a deterrent in Italy
The successful list of 46 submissions fell some way short of the previous round of licence applications. In 2018, some 93 operators applied for a licence, with 81 of those gaining approval.
Much of this can be put down to the higher fees associated with the licences. The new €7 million figure eclipses the existing fee of €200,000 under the previous licensing model.
Then there is the tax rate. Online sports betting and online casino operators will pay 24.5% and 25.5% tax on gross gaming revenue (GGR), respectively. Operators will also be subject to an annual fee set at 3% of GGR.
In addition, they will be required to spend at least 0.2% of their GGR on responsible gambling campaigns. This, however, will be capped at €1 million.
Italy has been running its regulated online gambling market since 2006, although the latest round of reforms will bring sweeping changes, not only to the licensing process but also the wider market.
Other changes include new player protection tools. These will allow customers to set limits on deposits, spend and playing time, as well as to self-exclude from online platforms.
Automated warning alerts will also aim to tackle compulsive behaviour, In addition, in what will be a first in European regulation, Italy will introduce stricter controls targeted at the younger 18-24 age bracket.