Italian Customs and Monopolies Agency Releases 2024 Financial Report, Outlines Plans for the Future of Gaming
The Italian Customs and Monopolies Agency (Agenzia delle dogane e dei monopoli) has released its financial report for 2024, providing a comprehensive overview of revenues, collections, and regulatory oversight within the gaming sector. The report also outlines the agency’s strategic initiatives for 2025.
Key Highlights from the 2024 Report
Following the national convention held in Rome on May 21st and 22nd, the agency’s 2024 financial report sheds light on several key aspects of the Italian gaming industry.
Revenue and Collection
- Stable Revenue: Gaming revenue remained steady at €11.6 billion in 2024, matching the 2023 figure.
- Increased Collection: The total amount wagered, or “collection,” reached €157.45 billion, marking a 6.59% increase compared to the previous year.
- Gaming Expenditure: The total spending on games, calculated by subtracting winnings (€135.87 billion) from the total collection, amounted to €21.577 billion, a 4.38% rise from 2023.
- Slight Revenue Dip: Overall tax revenue from gaming experienced a minor decrease of 0.6% compared to 2023.
The report indicates a decline in revenue from AWP (Amusement with Prizes) machines and numerical lottery games. However, virtual betting and online skill games (such as casino games and cash games) saw significant growth, with corresponding increases in tax revenue of 18.14% and 16.73%, respectively.
Regulatory Oversight and Controls
In 2024, the agency conducted a total of 28,031 inspections within the gaming sector.
The agency exceeded its target for monitoring betting shops, bingo halls, and VLT (Video Lottery Terminal) locations, achieving a 39.9% coverage rate, surpassing the planned 33%. Specifically, 2,710 establishments were inspected out of a total of 6,863 identified locations.
All 18 planned audits of online gaming platforms, VLT systems, bingo operations, and betting systems were completed, along with reviews of the criteria and processes used by certification bodies for VLT and AWP systems.
The agency also blocked 721 websites offering illegal gaming services, significantly exceeding the target of 300. This achievement reflects numerous large-scale operations conducted by the agency’s operational units, often in collaboration with law enforcement and judicial authorities. All institutional indicators were fully met, including 13,004 inspections related to underage gaming, surpassing the planned 12,000.
In 2023, 44 establishments were suspended for violations related to underage gaming.
Contribution to Tax Reform and Sector Reorganization
The report highlights the agency’s substantial contribution to the development of regulatory reforms in the gaming sector, particularly Legislative Decree No. 41 of March 25, 2024, which focuses on reorganizing the gaming sector, starting with online gaming. The agency also continued its efforts to combat illegal gaming through the Committee for the Prevention and Repression of Illegal Gaming and the Protection of Minors (Copregi), coordinating efforts at the central and regional levels to ensure effective collaboration among all institutional stakeholders involved in control operations.
Strategic Objectives for 2024-2026
The agency’s 2024-2026 plan is structured around several strategic areas of intervention (Asi). Asi 3, focusing on legality, includes initiatives aimed at enhancing the quality of public gaming offerings, protecting vulnerable individuals, and combating illegal gaming. This involves streamlining tools to combat problem gambling, increasing the security and control of the public gaming network, and preventing fraud. Activities include analyzing and implementing a comprehensive reform of public gaming to reduce the risks associated with gambling disorders, strengthening controls on underage gaming, involving Copregi, and finalizing procedures for awarding new gaming concessions, ensuring an even distribution of legal gaming locations.
In 2024, the agency exceeded its target for meetings with economic operators and trade associations, holding 38 meetings compared to the planned 20, to promote the adoption of simplification tools in customs, excise duties, and gaming.
Future Developments and Management
The agency will undertake the necessary actions to provide technical support for the implementation of the Tax Delegation Law No. 111 of August 9, 2023, and improve efficiency in the gaming sector. In line with the reorganization law, the agency will focus on developing safe gaming practices to protect players, especially vulnerable groups, by ensuring that concessionaires invest in informational campaigns to prevent problem gambling and protect players. This aims to enhance the quality of public gaming offerings and ensure a safe and responsible gaming environment. The agency will also strengthen the monitoring of gaming establishments and intensify efforts to combat illegal and underage gaming, increasing the security and control of the public gaming network, including online platforms.
The agency will optimize its staffing levels and enhance human resources through recruitment, training, and professional development, including technical and digital skills. It will also leverage technological innovation to enhance IT infrastructure and promote teleworking and agile work arrangements while maintaining productivity. The agency will develop a staffing plan aligned with organizational developments and continue to implement energy efficiency measures, promote the use of renewable energy sources, and streamline relationships with suppliers to ensure timely payments.
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