Italy Delays Land-Based Gambling Reform Plans

Italy has taken a planned reform of its land-based gambling sector off the government’s agenda for this year, leaving retail betting and gaming operators without a clear timetable for regulatory changes.

The draft reform decree was rejected by Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni’s office last week and has since been removed from the Council of Ministers’ upcoming schedule. With government priorities now focused on the 2027 Budget and wider fiscal measures, the reform is not expected to return before the end of 2026.

Reform Talks Fail After Two Years

The proposed overhaul was intended to establish a more uniform national framework under the supervision of the Agenzia delle Dogane e dei Monopoli (ADM), reducing the influence of differing regional gambling rules.

One of the main points of disagreement involved the location of gambling venues. Local authorities sought to preserve strict distance requirements between gambling establishments and sensitive sites, including schools, while the central government pushed for a more consistent nationwide system.

The proposal had been negotiated for more than two years between national authorities, Italy’s regions and autonomous provinces. However, the parties were unable to reach an agreement on a final version of the reform.

Retail Operators Await Clarity

The delay means existing land-based gambling concessions are expected to remain active for longer than originally anticipated. The government had already prepared an extension running until December 31, but the latest developments have raised expectations of another postponement.

The uncertainty also affects the planned concession auctions. These were expected to generate between €1.8 billion and €2 billion in licence fees for the state while supporting a new structure for the retail gambling market.

Instead, operators are now facing another period without a defined timetable for changes to the sector.

Gambling Tax Revenue Declines

Recent tax figures have added another layer to the situation. According to data from Italy’s Ministry of Economy and Finance, gaming tax revenue decreased 6.3% year on year during the first half of 2026, reaching €3.64 billion.

Indirect gaming tax revenue, which includes lotteries and related activities, fell 8.4% to €3.07 billion. Tax revenue from gaming machines declined 7.3% to €2.47 billion.

Industry association Associazione Giochi Italia Concessionari (AGIC), which represents companies including Flutter Entertainment, Lottomatica, Entain, bet365 and Brightstar Capital Partners, has criticised the repeated extensions.

The group has warned that continued delays have made it difficult for Italy’s retail gambling sector to achieve longer-term stability.

For now, the country’s land-based gambling market remains governed by the existing framework, while operators continue to wait for a reform that has already spent years under discussion.