Italy Delays Retail Gambling Reform After Decree Setback

Italy’s plans to overhaul its land-based gambling market have stalled after Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni declined to approve the latest version of the retail gambling reorganisation decree. The proposal, which had been under discussion for two years between the Ministry of Economy and Finance (MEF) and the Conference of Regions and Autonomous Provinces, has now been returned for further review.

The decision leaves the sector without a clear timetable for introducing a nationwide framework for retail gambling in Italy and extends uncertainty around future licensing arrangements.

Regional Rules Remain a Sticking Point

Undersecretary Alfredo Mantovano confirmed that existing minimum distance rules introduced by regional authorities will stay in force. The government has maintained its position that restrictions preventing gambling venues from operating near schools and other sensitive locations should remain unchanged.

The proposed decree aimed to bring regional regulations under a common set of standards covering distance requirements, opening hours, venue certification and concession rules.

Regional administrations opposed changes they believed would reduce their authority, continuing to treat gambling regulation as an issue tied closely to public health. The disagreement reflects the wider balance of power between Italy’s national government and its regional administrations.

Licensing Plans Face More Delays

The lack of agreement also creates fresh obstacles for the planned retail concession programme. Officials had expected new tenders for betting shops, slot machine venues and bingo halls to raise between €1.8 billion and €2 billion through upfront payments. Earlier licensing rounds had already faced legal challenges because operators struggled to identify sites that met local distance requirements.

The wider reform package also included national standards covering sensitive locations, operating hours, operator registers, advertising rules and technical requirements for new gaming machines.

Current concessions will remain valid until 31 December 2026. Industry analysts believe authorities may extend those licences for another one or two years. AGIC, whose members include Flutter Entertainment, Lottomatica, Entain, bet365 and Brightstar, has argued that repeated extensions over almost a decade have slowed investment and postponed the sector’s modernisation.

Authorities Crack Down on Illegal Betting Activity

Italian authorities recently stepped up enforcement against illegal gambling in Sicily, shutting down two unlicensed betting collection centres during joint inspections carried out by the Agenzia delle Dogane e dei Monopoli (ADM) and the Guardia di Finanza.

The operation covered 14 betting shops and gaming halls across the province of Agrigento and resulted in administrative fines exceeding €20,000. Officials also seized gaming equipment after discovering terminals that were not connected to the national gaming network, while one business owner was referred to prosecutors over suspected illegal betting operations.

Trade Association Warns Regulatory Deadlock Is Hurting the Market

Italy’s regulatory standstill has also drawn criticism from EGP-FIPE, which told the Senate’s Constitutional Affairs Committee that years of concession extensions and differing regional rules have left licensed operators unable to plan with confidence.

The association argued that the lack of a single national framework weakens consumer safeguards and could push more players toward unregulated gambling. It also questioned the effectiveness of local restrictions, including minimum distance rules and limited operating hours, saying they may shift gambling activity to online or illegal markets instead of reducing gambling-related harm.

Source:

Giorgia Meloni Rejects Final Terms of Italy’s Retail Gambling Reorganisation Decree, hipther.com, August 4, 2026.