iGaming operators interested in Italy’s market

More than 80 online gambling operators are reportedly interested in securing a licence to work in Italy.

Italy.- At least 80 online gambling firms passed the initial scrutiny of Italy’s gambling regulator Agenzia delle Dogane e dei Monopoli (ADM). The application process that opened on Thursday, giving ADM a total of US$20 million.

The regulator said that all licence applications will be valid through December 31st, 2022, and that all companies complied with the requirements. The applicants were required to invest US$245k for the application fee. PokerStars, Videoslots, Lottomatica, bet365 and Luckia are some of the operators that applied for a gaming license in Italy.

Italy’s iGaming market currently features 45 gaming operators that have extended licences after they expired two years ago. Other 47 companies have licences until the end of 2022. If the 80 licences get the necessary approvals, Italy would have a total of 172 licensees.

Last week, it was reported that the regulated online gaming market with cash prizes increased 34 per cent in 2017, compared to 2016’s figures. Online games make up seven per cent of the total gaming sector in Italy, online and offline. Statistics also highlight online casino games, which grew 29 per cent during 2017’s operations and are now worth €569 million. Sports betting activity also increased by 59 per cent and is valued at €56 million.