Italian Authorities Strengthen Collaboration to Combat Illegal Gambling
The Italian Agency for Customs and Monopolies (ADM) and the Financial Police (GdF) are officially prioritizing the public gaming sector as a strategic area of focus. A recently renewed Memorandum of Understanding between the two institutions, signed in Rome by the Director of ADM, Roberto Alesse, and the General Commander of GdF, Andrea De Gennaro, marks a significant shift for the entire iGaming sector. Legal gaming is now treated as an autonomous area of intervention, at the heart of a structured and permanent collaboration.
A New Framework for Public Gaming Control
For the first time, an entire chapter of the Protocol is dedicated to preventing and suppressing illegal activities in the public gaming sector. The stated goal is to strengthen the effectiveness of control actions by avoiding duplication, overlap, and bureaucratic burdens for compliant operators. The focus shifts to the quality and coordination of interventions, with direct benefits for the industry that operates in compliance with regulations.
Regulatory Framework and Tax Reform
The protocol is part of the recent tax reform, specifically the implementation of Article 4 of Legislative Decree No. 141 of September 26, 2024. This regulation mandates systematic coordination between Italian customs authorities, with particular attention to inspection activities related to customs, excise duties, cash, and, indeed, public gaming. Extending this model to the iGaming sector is an absolute novelty.
Risk Analysis and Targeted Controls
Among the key points of the agreement is the commitment to develop joint risk analyses and integrated control plans between ADM and the Financial Police. Activities will be planned both centrally and locally, with a constant exchange of data, documents, and information through advanced IT tools. The goal is to implement more intelligent, selective, and proportionate interventions relative to actual risks.
Managing Complex Cases
Particular attention is paid to cases where quantifying the taxable base evaded is particularly complex. In these situations, the protocol provides for a technical-operational comparison between the departments of the Financial Police and the competent offices of the Agency. This step allows for a more accurate assessment, avoiding errors, discretion, and interpretative conflicts.
The Joint Standing Committee
The new protocol establishes a Joint Standing Committee, an inter-institutional body composed of ADM managers and GdF officers with expertise in the gaming, excise, customs, and anti-money laundering sectors. The Committee will be responsible for monitoring the implementation of the agreement, drafting annual or multi-year reports, evaluating the results of the activities carried out, and identifying any systemic critical issues or areas for improvement.
Shared Training and Skills Enhancement
Another pillar of the agreement is training. ADM and the Financial Police plan joint training and professional development paths for their personnel. The aim is to create a common operational language, align inspection methodologies, and make the relationship with operators more efficient. This internal synergy will also have positive effects externally, ensuring greater consistency and transparency in controls.
Opening to International Cooperation
The protocol is not limited to the national perimeter. The two institutions have already launched important international collaborations, as demonstrated by the memoranda signed with the customs authorities of Albania and Tunisia. For the iGaming sector, where many dynamics play out at a cross-border level, this type of openness represents a strategic opportunity to strengthen legality even outside Italian borders.
Implications for iGaming Operators
From the perspective of legal gaming companies, the new framework offers concrete advantages. Controls will be more targeted, consistent, and less invasive for those who are compliant. At the same time, the protocol increases the State’s ability to identify and sanction unauthorized activities. This balance promotes fair competition and strengthens confidence in the regulated gaming ecosystem.
A Strong Message to Protect Legality
The renewal of the Memorandum of Understanding between ADM and the Financial Police represents a strategic step in protecting legal public gaming. The joint action of the two authorities strengthens the institutional oversight of the sector, protects citizens and correct operators, and strikes more effectively against those who try to circumvent the rules. The message is clear: those who respect the law will be able to operate in a more stable environment, while those who violate it will find a more prepared and determined response.
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