ADM General Assembly, Leo (MEF): Reorganization, working with Unified Conference to position gaming points.

Italian Official Highlights Online Gaming Revenue, Outlines Land-Based Gaming Reform

Maurizio Leo, Italy’s Deputy Minister of Economy and Finance, addressed the General States of the Customs and Monopolies Agency, emphasizing the importance of reorganizing the land-based gaming sector and launching tenders for online and Lotto concessions.

Speaking at the event in Rome on May 21 and 22, Leo underscored the strategic role of the Customs and Monopolies Agency in the government’s ongoing tax reform. He noted the approval of 15 legislative decrees, three of which specifically target the customs and monopolies sector, covering gaming, customs system revisions, and excise duties.

“Regarding gaming, Decree Law No. 41 of 2024 has redesigned the online gaming regulations, which have grown significantly since the Covid pandemic, and has established general parameters for regulating the entire gaming system,” Leo stated. “This will also inspire further measures concerning land-based gaming, which are currently being developed.”

The Deputy Minister stressed the government’s commitment to safeguarding security and health, particularly for minors, and preventing gambling addiction. He also acknowledged the importance of fostering entrepreneurial growth within the gaming networks. This approach has paved the way for initiating concession tenders for both online gaming and the Lotto.

Online Gaming Concessions Expected to Generate €350 Million

The deadline for online concession applications is May 30, with the government anticipating a substantial revenue of €350 million, given the €7 million entry threshold per concession. Recent Lotto tender results have also been highly successful, exceeding expectations with €2.23 billion generated from a base auction price of €1 billion.

Land-Based Gaming Reform to Involve Regional Input

Leo also addressed the planned reorganization of the land-based gaming sector, emphasizing the need for collaboration with the Unified Conference, a body representing regional and local governments. The Unified Conference will play a crucial role in determining the location of gaming outlets to protect public health, particularly for young people. Furthermore, efforts are underway to establish a supervisory register of gaming operators, through the collaborative efforts of the Customs and Monopolies Agency and the Financial Police.