The online gaming sector in Italy is undergoing a profound transformation driven by Legislative Decree No. 41 of March 25, 2024, known as the “Gaming Reorganization Decree”, which came into effect on April 4, 2024. This ambitious reform aims to modernize and strengthen the regulation of iGaming, aligning the Italian regulatory framework with the highest European standards. In fact, with only 50 licenses available at a cost of €7 million each, the country seeks to establish a more professional, transparent, and responsible market.

End of Old Licenses and Temporary Extension

All online gaming licenses in Italy expired on December 31, 2024. However, the 2025 Budget Law granted a one-year exceptional extension, allowing operators to continue their activities while the new public tender process was implemented.

A More Exclusive and Demanding Licensing Model

The Customs and Monopolies Agency (ADM) — the sector’s regulatory authority — opened the tender on March 31, 2025, marking a radical shift from previous rounds. In a clear sign of market professionalization, the ADM limited online gaming licenses to only 50, with an entry fee of €7 million for a nine-year concession.

Applicants seeking one of these coveted licenses had to meet strict eligibility criteria, including:

Verified minimum revenue thresholds

Robust and certified technical infrastructure

Advanced anti–money laundering (AML) protocols

Strict compliance with responsible gaming regulations

The application period ran from March 31 to May 30, 2025, with official evaluations beginning in June.

46 Operators Pass the First Selection Phase

In October 2025, the ADM announced that 46 entities had passed the first stage of the tender process, launching the most decisive phase of the reform. This result confirms the sector’s high level of interest and confidence in the new regulatory framework.

A More Controlled, Competitive, and Transparent Market

With the Gaming Reorganization Decree, Italy aims to consolidate its online market by reducing sector fragmentation and strengthening technical and legal oversight. The reform also reinforces player protection mechanisms and corporate social responsibility — key aspects of the government’s strategy to combat problem gambling and illegal activities.

Criticism and Challenges

Despite the reform’s positive objectives, it has also sparked concerns among operators and industry analysts:

Increased costs for operators: The higher license fee — €7 million each — represents a significant financial burden, especially for groups managing multiple brands under a single concession. This could lead to greater market concentration in the hands of large international corporations.

Implementation difficulties: The transition to the new licensing system has involved complex operational adjustments, from adapting to new regulations to integrating control, reporting, and technological monitoring systems. Some operators have noted that the established deadlines are tight for meeting the new technical requirements.

Despite these tensions, both the ADM and industry representatives agree that the reform presents an opportunity to raise the quality and safety standards of online gaming in Italy.

In Conclusion

Italy is positioning itself as a European benchmark in iGaming regulation, embracing a sustainable model that combines innovation, oversight, and responsibility. With the final license awards expected before 2026, the country is entering a new era for digital gaming — one in which only the strongest and most committed operators will be part of the market.