Ireland has submitted its 2026 Gambling (Opening Hours and Use of Premises) Regulations to the European Commission. The proposed rules would prohibit alcohol sales at licensed betting premises and set opening hours for licensed land-based gambling venues; the standstill period ends on 20 April 2026.
Betting operators and land-based gambling venues would face rules on alcohol sales and permitted opening hours.
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Police reported a stationery shop owner over an illegal betting premises inside the shop in Acireale. State police have stepped up inspections of betting premises, gaming halls and internet points across Catania province.
State police in Acireale reported the owner of a stationery shop to the judicial authority after officers found an unauthorised betting operation in rooms attached to the shop, according to a police account reported on 9 October 2026. The owner faces allegations of lacking the licence issued by the Questore and of unlawfully accepting and collecting bets, including through intermediation. The presumption of innocence applies until any final conviction, the report said.
Italian State Police, supported by municipal police, found minors inside a betting shop in Pozzuoli during a local inspection and imposed an administrative fine on its owner. The police operation also identified 92 people and checked 33 vehicles.
Gaming hall workers in Navarra planned to protest on 3 April against Regional Decree 15/2025, which changed venues' opening hours and requires them to close at 00:30. UTSAJU said the change could put 100 people out of work and criticised the regional government for not meeting with the union; it also said the decree treated halls differently from bingo venues.
The Netherlands’ Council of State ruled that Rotterdam’s mayor must reconsider Amusementcenter’s request to extend opening hours at three gaming halls. It found the mayor had not adequately explained why Amusementcenter was treated differently from JVH Gaming & Entertainment, which received an extension, and ordered a new decision within 12 weeks.
Italian police fined a betting-shop owner €5,000 after finding gaming machines switched on outside permitted hours during checks in Rome, according to the report. The inspection formed part of wider police activity targeting irregularities in the area.