The new gambling licensing system has come into force in Italy

Italy has officially launched its new gambling licensing system, marking a key milestone in the reform of one of Europe’s largest gaming markets.

On 13 November at 7:00, the regulator ADM (Customs and Monopolies Agency) activated 52 new licenses. The launch was initially scheduled for midnight, but the actual activation took place at 7:00. The agency described the transition as “a smooth and decisive update”.

The changes led to the shutdown of hundreds of websites: the use of skins is now banned, and each operator is allowed to run only one domain. Although the regulator issued 52 licenses, only 46 operators are effectively active on the market, as some companies obtained two licenses each.

Each license costs €7 million (about $7.6 million), generating a total of €364 million (around $395 million) for the state. Several major international brands, including Betway and Unibet, opted out of this licensing round.

The new system introduces stricter requirements for operators and additional player-protection measures. Registration can now be completed through SPID digital identity or an electronic ID card (CIE), in addition to the traditional document-verification process. Mandatory self-exclusion tools and spending limits remain in place.

Last year, Italy’s online GGR reached approximately €5 billion (about $5.4 billion), with tax revenues of roughly €1.1 billion (around $1.2 billion).

In 2026, the government also plans to modernize the land-based gambling sector. The upcoming reform includes unified federal rules for casinos, bingo halls, and bookmakers. Authorities also intend to revisit the 2018 “Dignity Decree”, which introduced a strict ban on gambling advertising and sponsorship.