Understanding The Betting Market in Italy

Italy stands out as one of the most advanced countries in terms of gambling regulation—particularly for online casinos and sports betting. In many other nations, regulatory systems are less rigorous, offering users less protection and creating a riskier, more unregulated environment. That’s not the case in Italy: everything is tightly regulated, monitored, and filtered by a system that—regardless of personal views—is considered among the strictest and most protective in Europe.

This guide is not an invitation to gamble, nor is it a practical manual. It’s more of a map or compass. If you’re interested in understanding how betting works in Italy—legally, technically, institutionally—you’re in the right place.

The Online Betting Market in Italy – Full Overview

Italy’s system centers around one authority: ADM (Agenzia delle Dogane e dei Monopoli). This state agency issues licenses, enforces regulations, conducts inspections, and imposes sanctions. There’s no room for opaque operators: you either comply with ADM regulations or you’re operating illegally in Italy.

As of 2025, after the introduction of Legislative Decree 41/2024, the regulatory landscape changed significantly:

Licenses are limited to 50 in total.
Licenses now run for 9 years.
Each license costs €7 million up front, plus a 3% annual fee on GGR (Gross Gaming Revenue).

These are enormous figures—the most expensive licensing system in Europe—designed to restrict access only to technologically advanced, reliable, and financially stable operators.

Key rules introduced or maintained under this new framework include:

Ban on “skins”: each license applies to a single site, prohibiting duplicate or clone sites under the same concession.
Maximum of 5 licenses per corporate group, to avoid market concentration.
Official registry for physical recharge points (PVR) to reduce cash usage and ensure transactional traceability.
Total ban on gambling advertising in Italy (under the 2018 Dignity Decree), though limited exceptions are under discussion.
Mandatory responsible gambling campaigns, up to €1 million annually per operator, to promote awareness around problem gambling.

This legislative approach has reshaped the market: several established operators (e.g. Unibet, Betclic, Giochi24) withdrew in 2025, citing unsustainable industry conditions.

The outcome, on paper and in the hopes of consumers, is a controlled, transparent, interconnected system, where every play, transaction, and identity is verified. Platforms licensed by ADM must meet uptime, data protection, AML, and system security standards comparable to financial institutions.

License Update 2026–2035

In 2025, a total of 46 operators received ADM licenses valid from 2026 through 2035. Some hold multiple licenses, but each portal must correspond to a single gaming site. The official, updated list is available on the ADM website.

ADM-licensed Bookmakers in Italy

Here are some of the major operators currently authorized to offer online betting in Italy under ADM licenses:

All licensed operators must display the official ADM logo and license number on their website (usually in the footer, sometimes at the top). Any operator missing this credential should be avoided.

EU Regulation & Italian Licensing Framework

EU Compliance

Licenses are open to any EU operator meeting ADM criteria, ensuring freedom to provide services across member states.
Full implementation of AML directives through Legislative Decree 231/2007 and updates.
GDPR compliance for data privacy, consent, and user rights.
Adherence to e-Privacy standards (cookies, tracking, behavioral advertising).

Where Italy Excels

Unified Self‑Exclusion Registry (RUA): among Europe’s first and most effective systems. One centralized opt‑out blocks a user across all ADM operators.
Digital identity verification via SPID or CIE: Italy leads in adopting public‑database digital IDs for age verification in gambling.
Age verification enforced at site entry: From mid‑2025, users must confirm age upon landing, not just at registration—a method ahead of many peers like the UK.

Where Italy is More Restrictive

Absolute ban on advertising and sponsorship: No exceptions allowed under current rules.
Exorbitant licensing cost: €7 million per license compared to much lower fees in Spain or Malta.
Cap on total licenses—only 50, while France and the UK allow more open licensing models.

Taken together, Italy offers a hybrid model: fully compliant with EU guidance, yet more stringent at the national level—a benchmark in the EU gambling landscape.

How This Regulatory Framework Protects Players

1. Mandatory Limits & Self‑Limit Tools

Every user opening a new ADM‑licensed account must immediately set a weekly deposit limit. Platforms also must offer customizable tools, such as:

Playtime limits (session or daily/week/month windows)
Net loss limits
Ability to reduce limits immediately
Any increase only permitted after one week

These rules are designed to foster responsible play before engagement begins.

2. Unified Self‑Exclusion Registry (RUA)

Users can auto‑exclude for 30, 60, 90 days, or indefinitely. Once listed, access is blocked across all ADM platforms simultaneously, enforceable in seconds using SPID or CIE. Revocation is only possible after 6 months for indefinite closures. This is considered a best practice in European regulation.

3. Forced Identity Verification

ADM sites cannot allow pseudonyms. KYC must be completed within 30 days, or the account is suspended or closed. Verification can be manual or automated—with SPID/CIE federated confirmation being instantaneous.

4. Responsible Gambling Messaging

All ADM platforms must display:

Session timers
Real‑time balance updates
Informational pop-ups about play behavior
Direct links to RUA, limits, and support services

Since 2025, each licensee must fund responsible gaming campaigns—even though gambling advertising is banned. This paradox reinforces the goal: to inform and prevent harm, not to advertise.

5. Traceable Payments, No Cash Accepted

All financial activity—deposits, withdrawals, PVR transactions—must be traceable. No anonymous cards, no third-party funding. Each gaming account must:

be tied to a single tax ID
only use payment methods in the account holder’s name
have a verified identity

This guarantees fraud protection, anti-money laundering, and overall transparency. ADM also mandates ISO/IEC 27001 certification for operators to ensure secure data management.

6. Guaranteed Funds if an Operator Defaults

If an ADM licensee fails or loses its concession, player funds are protected via guarantees covering:

Player balances
Outstanding winnings
State tax obligations

Even in case of operator insolvency, players are not exposed to the risk of losing funds.

Conclusion & Final Thoughts

The Italian system is complex, selective, and highly regulated—by purposeful design. Since 2018, following advertising bans and licensing reform, Italy has built an ecosystem where freedom to play exists—but only within a clearly defined framework. Few operators, intense oversight, zero marketing.

The result? A system prioritizing protection over performance. Players are considered people first, customers second.

FAQ – Frequently Asked Questions

Is online betting legal in Italy?

Yes—only on platforms licensed by ADM. All other operators, even if licensed abroad, are considered illegal in Italy.

How can I check if a site has an ADM license?

Look for the ADM logo and concession number in the website footer, or consult the official list on adm.gov.it.

What happens if I play on an unauthorized site?

Risks include confiscation of winnings, no legal protection by Italian authorities, lack of transaction traceability, and potential payment blocks.

Can I self‑exclude even if I live abroad?

Yes. You can register on the unified RUA registry via SPID or CIE. The exclusion applies to all ADM sites simultaneously.

Why have so many operators left Italy?

Due to the high license cost (€7 million) and the total advertising ban, only the most robust, well-funded companies remain competitive.

Charles Taudin

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Global Editorial Chief of The Playoffs, I created The Free Agent, which became The Playoffs FR, in 2020 during the pandemic. A longtime fan of the four major American sports, I now oversee the editorial strategy and social media for all versions of The Playoffs. I still occasionally write about sports I’m particularly passionate about, such as the NFL or MLB.