Italy land-based gambling reform stalls amid political deadlock
The reorganisation of Italy’s land-based gambling sector risks being further delayed. Betting shops, bingo halls, gaming machines, and retail outlets across the country remain among the most delicate parts of the fiscal delegation.
According to the Italian financial newspaper of record, Il Sole 24 Ore, and as reported by the specialised press, the draft implementing decree prepared by the Ministry of Economy and Finance (MEF) reportedly failed to secure the political approval needed to move forward. At present, however, there have been no official communications from Palazzo Chigi, the MEF, or the Customs and Monopolies Agency (ADM) formally confirming a definitive halt.
The issue is significant because the fiscal reform provided for the overall reorganisation of the public gaming sector. So far, however, the most advanced intervention mainly concerns the reform already launched for online gambling in Italy, while the framework for land-based gambling still needs to be defined in its main aspects.
The regulatory framework already approved for the remote gambling sector is set out in Legislative Decree No. 41 of 2024, which regulates online gambling while leaving open the issue of betting shops, gaming machines, and retail outlets nationwide.
Distance rules, local authorities and concessions: a complicated dossier
It remains difficult to strike a balance between the presence of land-based gambling, the need to protect various municipalities, and the need to support the economy of sector operators. One of the main issues concerns the minimum-distance requirements that must be maintained between gambling points and schools, places of worship, and other sensitive areas.
One of the proposals reportedly under discussion provided for different rules for dedicated gambling venues and mixed-use establishments such as bars, tobacconists, and betting shops, where gambling is only part of the business. But it is precisely this balance that is said to have caused the political slowdown. Rules that are too strict could significantly reduce the authorised network, while rules that are too weak could fail to respond to the requests made over the years by regions, municipalities, and associations involved in prevention.
In the absence of a new national framework, there remains a risk of operating under a fragmented system, in which state rules, regional laws, and local measures often coexist without consistency. This is one of the reasons why the reorganisation of the land-based network is considered a central step for Italy’s regulated gambling sector. It would provide greater certainty for operators, public authorities and enforcement bodies.
Risk of further concession extensions
If the decree on land-based gambling does not arrive within the deadlines set by the delegation, the most likely scenario would be further extensions of the existing concessions. Here too, however, this is not yet an official decision, but a possible consequence.
The fiscal delegation, provided for under Law No. 111 of 2023, was extended until 29 August 2026 by Law No. 120 of 2025. This means the Italian Government still has a window of time to intervene with further legislative decrees, including the one on land-based gambling.
The problem is political before it is technical, because a balance must be found between tax revenue, legality, consumer protection, the fight against illegal gambling, and the role of local authorities. Without an agreement, the reform risks remaining only half completed.
A sector still awaiting final rules
The official framework confirms that the reorganisation of the public gaming sector stems from fiscal reform and aims to establish more stable rules, strengthen protections for vulnerable individuals, prevent underage gambling, improve supply chain transparency, combat illegal activity, and provide greater regulatory certainty nationwide.
The point is that land-based gambling still lacks an updated and uniform framework. It now remains to be seen whether the Italian Government will reopen the dossier or the sector will continue operating through extensions.
At present, the only certainty is that there is no official act definitively closing the door on the reform of land-based gambling in Italy. As reported by several gaming industry publications, the decree has encountered political resistance. For this reason, the issue remains open, and the question of concessions continues to weigh on the future of online gaming in Italy.
This article was originally published on the Italian SiGMA News page on 16 June 2026.
Personalise your news with the voices shaping global iGaming. Pick SiGMA World as your source preference for exclusive interviews, prediction markets, regulatory shifts and smarter industry coverage worldwide.
