Gambling laws set to change in Italy

The European Commission has just been notified by the Italian Gaming Authority of its new draft decree which sets out the new Italian licensing rules for remote gaming.  The European Commission along with other EU Member States is expected to review the draft decree for at least three months until the 15th October, if no challenge arises during this period it will then be approved.

There are several new provisions in the draft decree which apply to both current online gaming operators and any new ones. There are rules for the giving of 200 more online gaming licenses; one of the provisions is that any operator applying for a licence will have the right to locate its legal seat and technical infrastructure in any country belonging to the European Economic Area. This means that operators will only be obligated to pay Italian gaming tax.

There are also guidelines for the cash poker games and casino games which means all the necessary legislation will be in place for the launching of any new games.

Gaming terminals in shops known as ‘totems’ will be banned which creates a much fairer market. Also, the punti di commercializzazione (retail outlets currently allowed to collect money on behalf of gaming operators) shall no longer be regulated.

Operators will have to adopt the ‘card of services’ this is an agreement designed to ensure a high level of transparency for players and operators alike.

Operators looking to join the market are expected to welcome these new regulations as they can obtain a license without moving their infrastructure to Italy and they will retain their current tax benefits.

Current operators are also expected to welcome the draft as the limitations on the activities of shops is expected to prevent them loosing trade to unlicensed gambling outlets.