Online gambling in Italy
Background
Italy’s online gambling market has undergone significant transformation over the past two decades. Initially, gambling activities were heavily regulated and controlled by the state, with a primary focus on land-based operations. Laws made it a criminal offence to offer games of chance or collect bets from Italian residents in the absence of local police authorisation.
In March 2007 these laws, as they applied to online gambling operators were tested in the European Court of Justice (ECJ) in a case brought by sports betting giant Stanley Leisure plc. The ECJ ruled that Italy could not use criminal law to stop gaming companies licensed in another EU member nation from accepting bets from Italian gamblers. Such restrictions were ruled as being incompatible with EU freedom of services principles.
By then Italian lawmakers had already started moving toward a liberalised market that would culminate in the legalisation and regulation of online gambling. The key turning point was the introduction of the Decreto Bersani in 2006, which opened the market to licensed online operators. This was followed by further reforms in 2011, which expanded the types of online gambling activities that could be legally offered, including casino games and poker.
The first operator licenses under the new regime were awarded to a mix of domestic and international companies during 2011.
Evolution’s Venezia Roulette with Croupiers chatting in Italian
In May the same year, Evolution became the first live dealer provider to be officially certified under the new regime and have been busy expanding their range of tables with Italian dealers ever since.
Current Regulations
Italy’s online gambling market is currently regulated by the Agenzia delle Dogane e dei Monopoli (ADM), the Italian Customs and Monopolies Agency. Key aspects of the regulations include:
- Licensing: Operators must obtain a license from the ADM to offer online gambling services to Italian residents. Both domestic and international operators can apply for licenses, provided they meet the stringent requirements set by the ADM.
- Types of permitted gambling: The regulatory framework permits a wide range of online gambling activities, including sports betting, casino games (live dealer included), poker, bingo, and lotteries.
- Advertising: Advertising of gambling services is tightly regulated.
In 2018, the Dignity Decree introduced a near-total ban on gambling advertising, sponsorships, and promotions from 2019. But in 2024 Roberto Alesse, Director General of the ADM conceded the Decree had been economically damaging, with sporting leagues in particular suffering its effects.
Plans to revise and relax the Decree are expected in 2025. - Taxation: Operators are subject to taxation based on their gross gaming revenue with tax rates varying depending on the type of gambling activity.
Major Operators
Major operators in the Italian online gambling market feature a mix of homegrown companies and international giants. All provide a broad range of gambling services to Italian players under ADM license from a ‘.it’ domain.
- Sisal: One of Italy’s leading gambling operators, offering sports betting, lotteries, and online casino games.
- 888: Among the first licensed operators (July 2011), 888 offers the full range of online gambling products to Italian players.
- William Hill: Also licensed since July 2011, a well-known UK-based operator offering sports betting and casino games in Italy.
- Lottomatica: A prominent domestic operator providing a wide range of gambling services, including lotteries, sports betting, and online casinos.
- Bet365: A major international operator with a significant presence in the Italian market, offering sports betting, casino games, and poker.
- Unibet: Licensed since September 2011 and offering a comprehensive sports betting service and casino games.
Best live casino for players from Italy
The below casinos all offer a large range of live dealer games for Italian players, including multiple tables with Italian dealers.
