Italy’s Council of Ministers expects to publish the final version of the legislative decree on the reorganisation of land-based gambling by early April.

Final concessions of the decree are currently under review by the Unified Conference (UC), the representative body of Italy’s 20 autonomous regions and 110 municipalities.

At present, the Council anticipates publishing the full terms of the decree on 10 April, which will result in the launch of the second phase of the Meloni government’s overhaul of Italy’s gambling sector. 

The mandate, which was first initiated in 2023, began with the overhaul of Italy’s online gambling framework and new licensing regime – which was enacted in November 2025.

The final adjustments of the decree will be focused on restrictions around operating hours and minimum distance requirements between gambling venues and ‘sensitive locations’, such as schools, hospitals and other public sites.

New concession structure outlined

The decree will introduce a new structure for retail betting venues across key verticals:

• Gaming machines: Starting bid of €25m for lots comprising 4,000 Amusement with Prizes (AWPs) and 900 Video Lottery Terminals (VLTs)
• Retail betting licences: Blocks of 25 licences priced at €60,000 each, with a base bid of €1.5m.
• Bingo halls: Starting bid of €350,000 per venue, covering 210 locations

The pressure to implement reforms is increasing across Italy, particularly in the gaming machine segment, which recorded a €250m decline in tax revenues in 2025. 

Policymakers have warned that delays to the new decree are facilitating a growth in the unlicensed market, which is estimated to be worth between €30bn and €35bn across retail and online channels.

More share for provinces

The reorganisation will also activate a revenue sharing mechanism to reward regional authorities, as established under the 2026 Budget Law. 

After negotiations, the UC set out an initial allocation of €80m which will be distributed across different localities, signalling greater local participation in gambling proceeds.

A certification system for licensed operators will also be introduced, allowing approved entities to open venues at a minimum distance of 100 metres from sensitive sites.

Authorities will also establish a permanent committee to monitor problem gambling rates, alongside a strengthened oversight of anti-money laundering controls, which will be led by ADM – Italy’s  Customs and Monopolies Agency.

These measures are intended to reduce overall gambling supply, curb illegal market activity, limit tax evasion and mitigate risks of criminal infiltration.

Meloni guarantee

The government has stood by its pledge to completely overhaul both retail and online gambling in Italy, with an initial deadline set for 2026, as it looks to usher in a new era of standards, governance and licensing.

Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni has maintained the pledge, despite a backdrop of political instability. She previously lost a high-stakes Nordio Referendum on 22 March to overhaul Italy’s judicial system. 

During the referendum, 52% of voters rejected the government’s plans to implement a New 15 member Disciplinary Court and appointment system for Italian judges. The outcome was detailed as Meloni’s first significant defeat since taking office in 2022.

But despite the recent loss, it appears that gambling still remains a high priority on the agenda.

The overhaul of current gambling regulations aims to strengthen public health protections, support licensed operators and stabilise tax revenues across Italy. 

Crucially, completing the decree before the expiry of the fiscal delegation law on 29 August would allow Italy to end the prolonged extensions of concessions for gaming machines, betting and bingo – all of which are currently set to expire on 31 December.

Italy’s long-sought retail reform is finally within reach, but its success will hinge on whether Rome and the wider regions can align on the final terms. 

The final passage of the decree represents a critical test of the government’s ability to reset the market.

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