Italy Online Gambling 2025: a record year for casino, poker and bingo
The year closed with strong results for the country’s online gambling sector, particularly for its three leading areas – casino games, poker and bingo – which once again confirmed their role within the regulated entertainment industry. Total stakes for the year reached €77.85 billion, while players’ effective spending – the difference between total wagers and winnings returned – amounted to €3.3 billion.
These figures outline a mature and highly regulated market capable of delivering continuity and stability, as well as a substantial contribution to state revenues. At the same time, they provide valuable insight into the future trajectory of Italy’s iGaming ecosystem amid technological innovation and evolving regulatory directives.
Steady growth and consistent volumes throughout the year
The performance recorded in 2025 reflects a consistently active player base, with stable volumes spread evenly throughout the year, as well as notable spikes in activity during the final months. This confirms that online gambling has consolidated a broad and loyal user base, supported by increasingly efficient digital infrastructure and users’ growing familiarity with online platforms and services.
Licensed operators continued to operate within a strict regulatory framework characterised by advanced compliance obligations, certified anti-fraud systems, rigorous identity verification procedures, and real-time monitoring protocols. This complex ecosystem is essential to ensuring high standards of security and transparency for users.
Player spending surpasses €3.3 billion
The value of player spending, which has exceeded €3.33 billion, remains one of the central indicators used to assess the economic importance of the sector. This figure is closely aligned with the gross gaming revenue (GGR) on which taxes are calculated and provides a clear picture of the fiscal impact of online gambling on Italy’s public finances.
In 2025, Italy introduced further fiscal adjustments to major online sectors: the tax rate for casinos, poker and bingo rose from 25% to 25.5%, which is expected to increase annual tax revenues. This policy has further strengthened the digital segment’s role within state finances while simultaneously creating a more competitive landscape for operators.
Casino, poker and bingo: the three pillars of the digital sector
In the world of remote gambling, online casino games and poker undoubtedly performed the best, in both tournament and cash-game formats. Their ability to attract new players and maintain high levels of engagement confirms their position as the primary drivers of industry growth.
Although online bingo is smaller in scale compared to the other two verticals, it remains a solid niche with an intensely loyal user base. This segment’s stability contributes significantly to the balance of the broader digital ecosystem, demonstrating continued interest in a traditional game format that has become fully integrated into the online environment.
A regulated sector still in evolution
Despite its maturity, the Italian online market continues to undergo significant regulatory transformation. In 2025, a major restructuring process was initiated, with ADM introducing a new licensing framework characterised by stringent requirements and an entry fee of €7 million per licence.
The number of authorised domains has progressively decreased, resulting in a more concentrated market among a smaller group of highly qualified operators. This rationalisation has two key effects: on the one hand, it enhances consumer protection and improves the quality of the legal offering, and on the other, it demands ever higher levels of competitiveness and technological innovation from operators.
Security, legality and the fight against unauthorised platforms
The year 2025 was also characterised by rigorous enforcement measures. Thousands of illegal platforms were taken offline, reflecting the authorities’ ongoing commitment to tackling unauthorised gambling, which still poses a significant risk to both tax revenues and player protection.
At the same time, the near-total advertising ban imposed by Italian law remains a contentious issue. While it limits commercial pressure on consumers, it also makes it more difficult for players to distinguish between legitimate and unlawful platforms. This issue requires careful consideration as it could influence future legislative decisions.
Growth, innovation and new challenges
Market forecasts suggest that Italy’s online gambling sector may continue to expand over the next decade, driven by technological development, the growth of mobile gaming, and the adoption of advanced player protection and security systems. Several research institutes predict that the Italian online gambling market could reach significantly higher values by 2035, building on the positive trend observed in 2025.
At the same time, striking the right balance between innovation, competitiveness and social responsibility will remain central to the regulatory debate. It will be essential to ensure a system that promotes legal gambling, protects consumers and maintains high levels of transparency and safety.
This article was first published in Italian on 19 January 2026.
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