Azione leader Carlo Calenda proposed that the Meloni government raise taxes on gambling, tobacco and spirits while reducing taxes on fuel. He said the changes should keep tax revenue unchanged and support lower fuel taxes and a cut to the vehicle tax.
The proposal could change the tax burden on gambling businesses if adopted by the government.
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Italy’s 2027-2029 budget bill, submitted to the Chamber of Deputies, proposes changes to gaming machines and other gambling products, according to the explanatory report by Economy Minister Giancarlo Giorgetti. The bill would raise maximum AWP stakes to €2 and prizes to €200, while increasing PREU rates to 25% for AWP and 9.6% for VLT; qualifying AWP would receive a five-percentage-point tax reduction.
Italy's 2027-2029 budget bill has been submitted to the Chamber of Deputies, together with an explanatory report by Economy Minister Giancarlo Giorgetti. Chapter IV of the bill groups the provisions on gaming and smoking products.
Riccardo Pedrizzi proposed raising AWP payout rates by 5% while reducing the tax levy, as an alternative to the PREU increase on AWP and VLT machines included in Italy’s 2027 budget bill. He said the change could support competitiveness and preserve tax revenue; the article reports that a one-percentage-point PREU increase is being considered.
Riccardo Pedrizzi has proposed raising the payout rate on AWP machines by five percentage points while cutting the PREU levy on AWP and VLT machines, as an alternative to the PREU increase in Italy's 2027 budget bill. He set out the proposal in an analysis published in the newspaper La Discussione. A one-percentage-point rise in the PREU is under consideration, the article reports.
Italy’s government approved its 2027 budget bill on 28 October, but the text remains under preparation and proposed gambling measures are not confirmed. Reportedly, the government is considering raising the PREU on AWP and VLT machines by one percentage point and extending several concessions by three years on more costly terms; the reported revenue target is more than €900 million annually in 2027-2029.
Italy's Council of Ministers approved the 2027 budget bill and the multi-year budget for 2027-2029 at a meeting on the afternoon of Wednesday 28 October, but the text of the measure is still being finalised. Only unconfirmed reports are circulating about some of the measures in the package, including on public gambling. According to those reports, the government is aiming to raise more than €900m a year from the sector over the 2027-2029 period.
The draft budget bill reportedly proposes changes to gambling taxes, concessions and lottery draws in Italy, with parliamentary committee work due to begin this week. It would add a Wednesday Lotto and SuperEnalotto draw, set PREU rates from 1 January 2027 and extend several concessions to 31 December 2029; Parliament may amend the proposals during consideration.
Work on Italy's budget bill is due to start this week in the Budget Committee of the Chamber of Deputies. The gambling measures in the document are currently a proposal and may be amended during parliamentary approval.
Reportedly, Azione’s Bonetti called for Italy to align taxes on gambling, spirits and tobacco with those paid elsewhere in Europe during debate on the fuel decree. Bonetti described the proposal as tax equalisation.
Elena Bonetti, a deputy for Azione, called during a debate in the Chamber of Deputies for taxes on spirits, gambling and tobacco in Italy to be brought into line with the levels paid elsewhere in Europe. Speaking on 15 September 2026 during voting on amendments to the fuel decree, Bonetti said the aim was equalisation rather than an increase in taxation.