A new Bill, outlining a range of gambling reforms covering all sectors, is now before the Italian parliament for discussion by at least a dozen committees in what is an extensive review process.
Commonly referred to as ‘anti-mafia legislation’, the aim of the reforms is to streamline what government believes is currently a ‘splintered’ approach to gambling, both regionally and technically.
Led by Treasury Deputy Minister Maurizio Leo, the propose new legislation lays out a new organisational structure for the issuing of licences across the entire country. The Bill also outlines principles and criteria relating to responsible gambling.
Guidelines on the location of land-based gaming facilities and policies for the regulation and assessment of taxes are also included in what is a far-reaching set of proposals that also address stake and prize limits, staff training, self-exclusion and a ban on betting on amateur and junior sports.
The market in Italy is strong, and important to both the government and the industry, with GGR approaching €20bn (US$22bn). The optimistic time frame for final approval of the Bill is around a year, so any implementation will be mid-2024 at the earliest.
