IIDEA urges removal of Italian budget bill rules for LAN venues
Regulation1 min read
IIDEA has called for Article 25 of Italy’s 2027 budget bill, which would introduce authorisation, oversight and tax rules for LAN venues, to be removed. The video games industry association argues that the proposed framework would extend beyond taxation and says the bill’s estimates of 200 venues in 2027 and 2,300 in 2028 contrast with its estimate of about 70 currently operating.
Italy's 2027 budget bill would introduce authorisation, oversight and tax rules for LAN venues, prompting video games industry association IIDEA to call for Article 25 to be removed.
Article 25 would give the Customs and Monopolies Agency (ADM) authorisation, oversight and regulatory powers covering LAN venues, devices, video games, online platforms and esports competitions. It would give the regulator powers over esports participation fees and prizes, including a possible contribution of up to 8% of entry fees. The proposal includes authorisation requirements for games and platforms, and would require online activity logs to be kept for five years.
The bill's technical assessment acknowledges a lack of reliable data on venue numbers but estimates 200 LAN venues in 2027 and 2,300 by 2028, with more than €66m in total tax and authorisation revenue. IIDEA estimates that about 70 venues operate in Italy and only about 20 have at least 20 stations, the threshold in the bill.
The association warned that fiscal and administrative costs could threaten existing venues, particularly small businesses and associations. It questioned whether the framework was necessary or proportionate and raised concerns about compatibility with European rules on services, technical regulations and data protection.
IIDEA called for talks with industry representatives and said any necessary reform should follow a separate legislative process.