BullGaming CEO says Italy budget proposal could raise AWP payout to 70%
Regulation2 min read
In brief
- Gatti analysed AWP changes proposed in Italy's draft 2027 budget law.
- Proposed PREU is 25%, or 20% for machines returning at least 70%.
- Maximum stake would rise from €1 to €2, and top prize from €100 to €200.
Francesco Gatti, chief executive of BullGaming, has set out his analysis of the outlook for AWP machines under changes contained in Italy's draft 2027 budget law. Gatti is also vice-president of SAPAR.
The bill provides for an ordinary PREU rate of 25% on AWP machines, reduced to 20% for machines programmed to return at least 70% of the money played. Gatti describes this as a tax incentive rather than a general, mandatory increase in payout. The PREU rate currently in force is 24%, and the 25% is the ordinary rate proposed for 2027. The proposal also raises the maximum stake from €1 to €2 and doubles the maximum win from €100 to €200. Gatti notes that, as currently worded, the two limits are not expressly tied to each other.
Gatti recalls that the minimum payout was 75% in 2004. He says it fell to 74% in 2013, 70% in 2016 and 68% in 2019, and has stood at 65% since 2020.
In the same simulation, monthly PREU revenue per machine would rise from 1,250 to 1,283 euros. Gatti calculates that this would lift state revenue by about 2.67%. He also notes that the technical report accompanying the 2027 budget bill assumes 30% growth in collection for adapted machines, attributed jointly to higher payout and the new stake and win limits.
Gatti says it must still be verified whether a European notification obligation applies. He also says SAPAR's technical table will draw up a proposal to lighten the current certification and update procedures for AWP machines, for submission to the competent institutions.