Italy is entering a major turning point in its online gaming sector: this 13 November 2025 marks the launch of a radically overhauled new licensing regime designed to strengthen regulation, player protection and the traceability of operations. For both operators and the authorities, it’s a clean slate for the market.
A historic overhaul of the online gaming market
At 7am on 13 November 2025, the Agenzia delle Dogane e dei Monopoli (ADM) officially activated the new online gaming licensing system. After a few hours’ delay due to technical adjustments, the authority described the transition as a controlled and decisive reset.
This readjustment is not just symbolic: it puts an end to the old model known as skins, where a single operator could manage several sites under a single licence. From now on, each licence will result in a single official domain, forcing operators to close down hundreds of affiliated sites.
Entering the market is demanding… and costly
The cost of entering this new regime is drastic, to say the least: each licence was sold for €7 million, generating a total of €364 million for the Italian government.
Of the 52 licences issued, 46 operators are already operational. Some groups have obtained several licences, hence the slight difference.
This model reinforces the financial and technical requirements: applicants had to justify a minimum income and meet strict compliance and anti-money laundering criteria.
Security, control and protection of players
With this new framework, the ADM is placing the emphasis on player protection. To open an account, users must now use SPID, the Italian digital identity system, or the electronic identity card (CIE), which ensures more rigorous identity verification.
What’s more, mandatory mechanisms for responsible gambling remain in force: self-exclusion, spending limits, regular reminders.
According to the authorities, these measures are designed to reduce the risks associated with problem gambling while improving the traceability of bets and money transfers.
Economic and strategic consequences
The financial impact of this reform is already visible: the licensing system has brought in more revenue than expected, exceeding the initial target of €350 million set by the Ministry of the Economy and Finance.
The Italian online gaming market is not insignificant: by 2024, it is expected to have generated €5 billion in bets, with €3.8 billion in revenue for operators and €1.1 billion in tax revenue for the State.
But this transformation also has a cost in terms of competition: several major international brands, including Betway, Unibet, Betn1 and 1xBet, have chosen not to follow the new regime and have withdrawn from the Italian regulated market.
On the other hand, some local or well-established players (such as Flutter via Snaitech or Sisal) could strengthen their position.
With the entry into force of this renewed regime, Italy is reaffirming its desire to have a stricter, safer and more controlled online gaming market. By aligning its requirements with international standards and strengthening the traceability of both operators and players, the country is banking on balanced regulation.