The Italian government has approved a reorganization decree for online gambling.

Italy is set to reform its online gambling laws in 2024 with the approved Reorganisation Decree.

Aimed at evaluating and improving regulation since 2011, the changes include a €7m fee for each online gambling license, a 3% operating fee, and a 0.2% annual fee on net revenues for responsible gaming campaigns.

Only five licenses per firm will be allowed, addressing concerns about skin website selling single products.

 

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The approved Reorganization Decree for online gambling in Italy certainly brings some significant changes to the current regulatory framework. The aim of this reform is to assess and enhance the regulation that has been in place since 2011. Let's take a closer look at the key elements of this decree.

Firstly, one notable change is the introduction of a €7 million fee for each online gambling license. This hefty fee is likely meant to ensure that only serious and financially capable operators enter the Italian market. By imposing such a high cost, the government may be trying to discourage smaller and less reputable operators from obtaining licenses.

Furthermore, the introduction of a 3% operating fee is another substantial modification. This fee will be applied to the gross gambling revenue of licensed operators. It seems that the Italian government is aiming to generate additional revenue by imposing this fee on operators' financial activities.

In addition to the operating fee, operators will also be subject to a 0.2% annual fee on net revenues, specifically to fund responsible gaming campaigns. This demonstrates the Italian government's commitment to promoting responsible gambling practices and investing in initiatives aimed at preventing and addressing potential gambling-related harm.

The restriction of allowing only five licenses per firm is another significant change introduced by the decree. This measure seems to address concerns regarding "skin websites" that sell single products. By limiting the number of licenses per operator, the government aims to prevent an undue concentration of market power and encourage fair competition.

Overall, these reforms demonstrate Italy's effort to create a more robust and well-regulated online gambling sector. The introduction of higher fees and financial obligations for operators indicates a desire to raise standards and ensure the market is only open to serious and committed operators. Furthermore, the emphasis on responsible gambling campaigns and the restriction on licenses per firm highlight the government's commitment to protecting consumers and promoting a safe gambling environment.