Italy’s land-based gambling decree expected in the coming days
The reforms will introduce a new unified regulatory framework for land-based gambling in Italy.
Italy. Deputy Minister of Economy and Finance Maurizio Leo has said that he will present the delayed legislative decree on land-based gambling in Italy to the Council of Ministers in the coming days. The Reorganisation Decree had been expected on April 10 following years of negotiations and several delays while Conferenza Unificata, the institution representing Italy’s 20 regions and 110 municipalities, reviewed the details.
Speaking at the customs and monopolies agency ADM’s First National Anti-Fraud Conference, Leo, who has been the main negotiator between the Ministry of Economy and Finance and Conferenza Unificata, said he would share the decree “within ten days ”. He said the reforms were more than just fiscal objectives, with the legislation to be viewed as a tax, public order and anti-crime measure.
The Now land-based gaming reforms will introduce a more unified regulatory framework for the sector replacing the current patchwork approach, with stricter rules on venue operating hours and minimum distance requirements.
Under the new concession model for land-based gambling activities, gaming machine operations will be subject to a minimum bid of €25m for packages including 4,000 AWPs and 900 VLTs. Retail betting shops will be able to apply for bundles of 25 licences priced at €60,000 each, with a base bid of €1.5m, while bingo hall licences will have a starting bid of €350,000 per venue.
Licensed operators will have to undergo a certification system, with venues required to be at least 100 metres away from sensitive sites, such as schools. Oversight will be strengthened through a permanent committee monitoring problem gambling, while there will be tighter anti-money laundering controls led by the regulator, the Customs and Monopolies Agency (ADM).
The reforms have been held up by negotiations with regional and municipal authorities over the distribution of tax revenue. Agreements have been reached to grant regions an initial €80m under a revenue sharing arrangement mandated by the 2026 Budget Law. The drawn out process of negotiations has seen current gaming, betting, and bingo concessions granted temporary extensions. It’s hoped that the reforms will be signed off by August 29 to bring that to an end.
The latest data from the Ministry of Economy and Finance shows that tax revenue from gambling in Italy declined in the first two months of 2026, mainly due to lower tax revenue from gaming machines in January. Meanwhile, there is growing pressure for Italy’s ban on gambling ads and sponsorship to be lifted after the country was knocked out of the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
