ADM prepares PVR payment rules, named voucher use in focus

Italy's ADM is expected to publish shortly a determination on the payment methods that may be used at PVR recharge points operated by online gambling licensees. The measure has been awaited for months and follows an opinion from the Ministry of Economy and Finance (MEF) that takes account of assessments by the Unità di Informazione Finanziaria (UIF) and the Guardia di Finanza.

One point left open concerns the use of named vouchers, a recharge method already trialled by some operators, whose admissibility had drawn doubts among licensees. The uncertainty stemmed from the wording of the rules, which did not expressly state whether the instrument could be used at PVRs in compliance with the traceability requirements for operations on gambling accounts. The determination is expected to resolve the question by providing for the use of named vouchers.

Under the system, the point of sale generates a recharge code after identifying the customer, checking the document and recording the transaction; the player can then redeem the voucher directly on their online account. Legislative decree 41/2024 provides that recharges at PVRs must take place through payment instruments able to guarantee traceability of financial flows, indicated in advance by the holder of the gambling account and validated by the licensee. The application of that provision to named vouchers had given rise to interpretative doubts among operators.

The ADM measure is also expected to set out requirements for payment institutions, with particular reference to supervision exercised by the Bank of Italy, without introducing substantial changes to the current organisation of the network. Publication of the determination would settle the conditions for using named vouchers and the operational obligations for licensees and PVR managers.