Italy Prepares New Rules for Physical Gambling Venues

Italy Prepares New Rules for Physical Gambling Venues

Italy is preparing to take another step toward restructuring its land-based gambling sector, as a long-anticipated draft decree is expected to be published later this year. The move would reopen a reform process that has remained largely stalled for years, held back by complex negotiations between the central government, regional administrations, and local authorities. While Italy completed a major overhaul of its online gambling framework last year, the land-based segment has continued to operate under a fragmented set of rules shaped by regional and municipal decisions.

At present, gambling venues across Italy are regulated through a combination of national provisions and locally defined restrictions. This has resulted in uneven rules governing everything from venue density to operating hours and permitted locations. For operators, the regulatory landscape has often depended more on geography than on national policy. The forthcoming decree aims to replace this patchwork with a single, nationwide framework.

The proposed reforms would cover a wide range of land-based gambling activities, including gaming machines, video lottery terminals, betting shops, and bingo halls. One of the stated goals is to introduce consistent consumer protection standards, addressing long-standing concerns that uneven oversight stems from local variations. At the same time, the government is seeking to create a more predictable environment for licensing and supervision.

Progress on these reforms has been slow largely due to Italy’s administrative structure. The country’s 20 regions and more than 100 municipalities have historically wielded significant influence over gambling policy, particularly regarding location limits and social safeguards. Many local authorities remain concerned that a stronger national framework could reduce their control and lead to negative budgetary consequences. Questions around taxation and compensation for potential revenue losses remain central to the debate.

Despite these unresolved issues, the Ministry of Economy and Finance, under the supervision of Deputy Minister Maurizio Leo, appears determined to advance the process. The government has indicated that it hopes to launch new concession tenders for slot machines, betting, and bingo by the end of the year. These tenders are expected to generate approximately €2bn in tax revenues, reflecting both revised concession fees and changes to the market structure.

Industry estimates reported by AgiproNews suggest that the reform would lead to a noticeable reduction in the physical footprint of gambling venues. The number of bars, tobacconists, and gaming halls authorised to host slot machines is expected to fall to around 40,000, representing a reduction of roughly ten per cent. In parallel, the total number of slot machines is projected to decrease from approximately 240,000 to 200,000. Video lottery terminals are also expected to be reduced, from about 55,000 units to around 46,000.

In the betting sector, the existing national cap of 10,000 betting shops is expected to remain unchanged. However, the decree would remove the current distinction between dedicated betting shops and betting corners located within hospitality venues. This change would simplify licensing categories and reflect how the sector has evolved over time, particularly as local rules blurred the boundaries between different types of outlets.

A central element of the draft decree is the introduction of a new certification system overseen by Italy’s customs and monopolies agency, ADM. Under this system, both license holders and franchise operators would be required to demonstrate compliance with defined standards aimed at preventing access by minors and addressing gambling-related harm. Certification would not be symbolic; it would involve ongoing obligations and monitoring.

Location rules are also expected to be standardised at a national level. The decree would introduce minimum distance requirements between gambling venues and sensitive locations such as schools, hospitals, and addiction treatment centres. Certified venues must maintain a minimum distance of 100 metres, while non-certified venues must maintain a distance of 200 metres. This approach is intended to reward higher compliance standards while maintaining stricter limits for venues that do not meet certification criteria.

Operating hours would similarly be linked to certification status. Certified venues would be required to close for 6.5 hours each day, compared to 8 hours for non-certified locations. The difference is designed to act as an incentive rather than a relaxation, encouraging operators to align with the certification framework while maintaining time-based limits across the sector.

Although the publication of a draft decree would mark tangible progress, the legislative path ahead remains complex. The Council of Ministers must still review the proposal, discuss it with the Conferenza Unificata representing regional and local authorities, and examine it by parliamentary committees. Each stage introduces the possibility of revisions, and no fixed timeline has been confirmed for final approval.

For the gambling sector, the reform process represents both uncertainty and potential stability. A national framework could reduce legal disputes and provide clearer operating conditions after years of regulatory inconsistency. For policymakers, the challenge lies in balancing public health considerations, local authority concerns, and fiscal objectives within a single legislative structure.