The proposed revision has been communicated by Italy’s ADM customs and monopolies agency, the government department which maintains regulatory oversight of the gambling industry.
The ADM has been tasked with leading a new 2023 licensing framework for online gambling incumbents, who will be charged €2 million for acquiring or renewing their digital concessions.
A new online licensing framework forms part of the coalition government’s planned ‘sweeping reform’ of Italy’s gambling marketplace, in which retail concessions will be limited to 250,000 slot machines, 58,000 video-lottery terminals, 35,000 bars and tobacconists and 2800 gaming halls.
In its update, the ADM details that 2023 online gambling licences will be granted to limited tenders for a period of nine years.
The desired changes follow the coalition government’s confirmation that industry taxes would be increased on VLT and AWP machines, as 5Star-DP Budget Law seeks to squeeze a further €600 million in taxes from Italy’s gambling sector.