On Might 30, 2025, Italy’s Customs and Monopolies Company (ADM) concluded its name for functions for brand spanking new distant gaming licenses, signaling a pivotal second for the nation’s on-line playing sector. The transfer has sparked a mix of concern and anticipation from trade stakeholders. In an unique interview with SiGMA Information, Moreno Marasco, President of LOGiCO, an affiliation representing each Italian and worldwide licensed operators, shared his insights on the influence these adjustments could have in the marketplace.
Steep License Charges and Market Entry
One of the vital contentious facets of the brand new licensing framework is the substantial improve in entry charges. Marasco defined, “The decision has been closely criticized because it considerably reshapes Italy’s distant gaming panorama. Most notably, the price of entry has skyrocketed – the license charge has elevated by an element of 35 in comparison with the earlier tender.”
With the price of every license set at €7 million, Italy now ranks among the many highest in Europe for market entry. This drastic charge improve has raised considerations about the way forward for competitors, as solely the most important operators might be able to afford to enter the market. As Marasco identified, this might result in a scenario the place “competitors is restricted, with management concentrated within the fingers of only a few main gamers,” probably stifling innovation and shopper selection.
A Decline in Functions: Fewer Operators on the Horizon
The brand new licensing circumstances are anticipated to trigger a pointy decline in functions. The earlier spherical of licensing noticed 93 functions, however Marasco forecasts that this time round, solely 52 or 53 operators will apply, with the variety of lively licensed operators shrinking from 81 to only 33. “This vital drop in functions is all of the extra shocking contemplating the market’s substantial development in each income and the variety of authorized operators,” he mentioned. LOGiCO has expressed concern that such a discount within the variety of operators will diminish market plurality, leaving fewer choices for shoppers.
Authorized Challenges and Regulatory Rulings
Whereas the licensing tender has attracted appreciable curiosity, it has additionally confronted authorized challenges. Operators raised considerations over the excessive charges and sure regulatory restrictions. Nonetheless, the Regional Administrative Courtroom (TAR) of Lazio dismissed these challenges, ruling that the charges had been clear and in keeping with the sector’s common margins. Marasco famous that whereas smaller operators had been significantly deprived by the prices, the court docket upheld the legitimacy of the tender course of, emphasizing that the principles had been structured to mirror Italy’s worthwhile and extremely regulated market.
The Council of State additionally reviewed these authorized challenges and upheld TAR’s determination, making certain that the licensing course of would proceed as deliberate. A closing listening to is ready for June 12, 2025, however for now, the market seems to be shifting ahead beneath the present guidelines.
Participant Protections and Accountable Gaming
A significant shift beneath the brand new rules entails stronger participant safety measures, particularly for youthful and extra weak demographics. Marasco highlighted the introduction of age segmentation as probably the most vital improvements. “The 18-24 demographic will obtain focused protections to assist keep away from compulsive habits,” he defined. These extra safeguards are designed to place Italy as a European chief in accountable gaming insurance policies.
Italy’s current regulatory infrastructure additionally performs a vital function in participant safety. Marasco famous that Italy is exclusive in Europe in requiring real-time monitoring of each transaction, login, and wager, making it probably the most stringent playing markets when it comes to shopper security and authorized compliance.
A Paradox in Public Notion
Regardless of Italy’s standing because the second-largest regulated on-line playing market in Europe, following the UK, the general public notion of the sector stays largely detrimental. Marasco identified that many Italians view on-line playing with suspicion, typically associating it with criminal activity. “The trade is misunderstood, with many individuals seeing it as a ‘black gap,’ however that is solely true for unlawful operators,” he mentioned. LOGiCO has lengthy argued that stringent promoting restrictions push gamers towards unlicensed websites.
“The media’s sensational protection of the trade has additional fueled this detrimental notion,” Marasco famous. “Some media retailers have absurdly in contrast iGaming development with Italy’s GDP, additional distorting the truth.”
LOGiCO’s Advocacy for a Sustainable Business
Based in 2016, LOGiCO has been a driving power behind advocating for a sustainable and accountable iGaming trade in Italy. Marasco takes satisfaction within the affiliation’s function in representing each operators and shoppers. “We keep steady dialogue with authorities, significantly ADM, and work to make sure that Italy stays a pacesetter in accountable playing,” he mentioned.
LOGiCO additionally collaborates with worldwide organizations such because the European Gaming & Betting Affiliation (EGBA) and the European Committee for Standardization (CEN) to outline behavioral danger indicators and assist form EU-wide rules.
Trying Forward: A Vital Crossroads
As Italy’s new licensing tender closes, the iGaming sector stands at a crossroads. Marasco emphasised that collaboration amongst regulators, operators, and society is essential for the longer term. “We can’t enable the trade to be outlined by distortion or lawlessness. Authorized gaming should be protected—it’s the solely protection in opposition to illegality,” he concluded.
The following part in Italy’s on-line playing evolution guarantees to convey each challenges and alternatives. Whereas the elevated prices might restrict competitors, the regulatory adjustments are set to strengthen shopper protections and place Italy as a mannequin for accountable gaming in Europe.
Supply:
ADM On-line Playing Tender 2025: New Licensing Period Begins, sigma.world, Might 30, 2025.
