Betfair Italia continues operations through 2026 as exit decision shifts to 2027

Betfair Italia will keep operating at least until the end of 2026, with a final decision on its presence in the Italian market reportedly postponed to 2027. The information was reported by Gianluca Landi, a betting exchange and sports trading expert, who said he had received confirmation from sources inside the company. According to that account, Flutter decided to maintain Betfair's operations throughout 2026 and to assess the sustainability of its Italian presence at a later stage.

The matter followed Betfair's decision to end its Italian affiliate programme from 31 October 2026. The communication, sent to commercial partners and made public on 24 October, had prompted reports of a possible withdrawal and speculation that services could cease by the end of the year. The affiliate programme's closure concerns commercial relationships with parties that promote the brand through websites and other digital channels and is separate from any cessation of gambling collection activity. A similar case occurred in July 2025, when Betfair ended its affiliate programme in the United Kingdom and Ireland while keeping its gambling services running. Reports of a possible Italian exit were also fuelled by accounts from software developers connected to Betfair's APIs, who reportedly received informal communications about a possible suspension of some technical services.

Flutter's assessment reportedly covers several economic and regulatory factors, including the cost of new remote gambling concessions, set at €7m. It also includes the investment needed for technological adaptation and the economic sustainability of the Betting Exchange, a segment with characteristics different from traditional sports betting. In the exchange model, users take back and lay positions directly against other players, while the operator takes a commission on net winnings under the applicable conditions. According to the information gathered, Betfair has also reduced its Italian operational structure, moving some functions previously handled by the Milan office to Malta.

A central element is ADM's new timetable for adapting remote gambling systems, in particular the technical protocols for bets with direct interaction between players. The deadline initially set for 13 November 2026 was reportedly broken into a progressive verification and certification process, with several deadlines between November and February. The reported timetable sets a first step on 13 November 2026, followed by 13 January 2027 for concessionaires using third-party systems to upload compliance results. 12 February 2027 is given as the deadline for completing technical and functional checks, with the new system due to go into production on 15 February 2027. According to the account, Betfair had difficulty meeting the initial timetable for aligning its systems with the new technical specifications, and the new schedule may have contributed to the decision to keep operating until the end of 2026.

Questions also remain open on the rules for bets with direct interaction between players. Hypotheses examined in technical discussions with ADM reportedly include changes to how commissions are applied, to financial hedging mechanisms for transactions and to the use of trading software connected to platforms through APIs. In particular, charging commissions on individual transactions rather than on the market's net result could change the costs for users who place numerous back and lay bets. These are reported to be hypotheses discussed in the technical comparison and not provisions definitively approved.

Betfair introduced the service in the Italian regulated market in April 2014, operating with liquidity separate from the international platform. In 2021 the company stated a 96% share of the Italian exchange market, a figure referring to that period. Betflag reportedly confirmed its intention to continue operating in the Italian market and to invest further in the Betting Exchange, including by assessing trading tools that meet regulatory requirements.

The information circulated on 6 November indicates continued activity throughout 2026, while the decision on remaining in the Italian market would be postponed to the following year. The operational continuity reported by internal sources is not a definitive confirmation of the brand's presence in Italy in 2027. On the information reported, the closure of the affiliate programme from 31 October remains the measure actually adopted, while continuation of the Betting Exchange for the rest of 2026 is indicated by the internal sources consulted. No date has been announced for ending gambling services for Italian customers.