Italia: Regulatory frame and 15 years of sustained growth in the gaming market

In Italy, a pioneer country in the field of the organization of gambling on specific gaming legislation, casino games such as sports betting, card games, slot machines and other games with a number generator are authorized Lotteries, Bingo and board games. Eurispes, a prestigious Italian private institution that creates complete and relevant political, economic and social studies, reported that the turnover of the game more than doubled in Italy during 2008 and 2017. In 2017 it amounted to € 101,800 million, compared to € 47.5 billion in 2008 and € 15.5 billion in 2003. Total betting revenue reached € 19 billion in 2017. Of that amount, a total of € 10 billion was contributed to the state coffers, according to the report on Italy Eurispes 2019.

According to the same study, three out of ten Italians, or 28.2% of the country's population, have participated in one form of play or another. Around 18.3% of all players participated exclusively in physical play activities, only 2% told Eurispes researchers that they only played online, and 7.9% played both online and physically.

PLayers interviewed mentioned scratch games as the most popular gambling activity, with an 85% of participation, while other lottery products also were on the first places in the ranking. Around 52.7% participate in sportsbooks, while the 22% opted by casino games.

A lack of a unique regulation complicates the sector

The gaming market in Italy underwent some modifications in the last period, as a result of the sanction of the new provisions for the sector, emanating mainly from the 2019 Budget Law and a decree of 2018, which have an impact on the entire activity.

El Diario del Juego published a report recently prepared by the Research Department of the Chamber of Deputies of Italy, decree law n. 87 of 2018, which introduced numerous provisions to contrast the game, among which the prohibition of any form of advertising, including indirect, in relation to games or bets, made by any means, and the increase in pricing on equipment operated for the legal game.

The study emphasizes that the regulatory framework that governs the gaming sector is very complex in the absence of a single text, which includes the numerous regulations that have been adopted over time in this area.

Last June 5 at the House Finance Commission, legislator Massimo Bitonci said that with respect to a general reform of the public gaming sector, a bill is being finalized for the general reorganization of the sector, which has as objective to define a framework of clear and precise rules and strengthen the protection of the health of the players. The regulations from this beginning of the year established the extension of the ban on advertising in the game also to sponsorships.

According to the report of the Chamber of Deputies, Decree Law 87 of last year, entrusts the Government with the task of proposing a comprehensive reform of public games in order to ensure the elimination of the risks associated with the game, and combat illegal, as well as counter fraud to the detriment of the public treasury.

ENADA Academy will treat several issues related to the games of chance sector and the laws in Italy, such as: -The new face of gambling and new opportunities

How has the market changed with the new laws issued by the government?  What impact has the prohibition of publicity in the Italian market had, and what marketing strategies are available now? -New betting machines for a new system of concessions: what are the challenges and opportunities for the industry?

-Deferrals and tenders, a hot 2020 for betting and bingo. Slot machines and VLTs, are new taxes just around the corner?