As.Tro reviews proposed 2027 budget measures for Italian gaming
Regulation2 min read
As.Tro said its technical committee met to assess gaming provisions in Italy’s draft 2027 budget, including proposed PREU increases for AWP and VLT machines. The association expressed concern about the measures’ effects on physical gaming businesses and said it would meet again on 6 November to agree proposed amendments.
The As.Tro technical committee met to examine the provisions of the draft 2027 budget law that affect the gaming sector. The committee discussed the possible effects of the PREU increases planned for AWP and VLT machines, drawing partly on first economic simulations prepared by CGIA Mestre.
As.Tro said it will collect further analysis from CGIA Mestre in the coming days. That analysis is to examine, case by case, the relationship between wagering and turnover where between 20% and 60% of machines are modified.
As.Tro expressed strong concern about the overall sustainability of the budget measures, which it said risk worsening the difficulties of physical gaming businesses. The association said the provisions come amid a progressive contraction in wagering and restrictions introduced by local regulations. It also cited rising operating costs, in particular for energy and fuel. As.Tro added that the investment costs needed to adapt individual machines may be hard to sustain for a significant share of operators.
The committee also paid particular attention to the provisions on machines without cash winnings. According to As.Tro, without corrections these provisions risk compromising the operational continuity of numerous businesses in the sector.
As.Tro also raised concern about the bingo segment, citing the combined effect of the tax measures and higher concession charges in the budget. It said more than 50% of bingo halls would be at risk of closure. As.Tro invited Italo Marcotti, president of Federbingo – Confindustria SIT, to take part in the committee's work.
The As.Tro technical committee will meet again on Friday 6 November to define and agree a package of measures. As.Tro said the aim is to make the measures in the budget more sustainable.