Italian MP Andrea de Bertoldi called for a new public communication approach and a rapid reorganisation of the gambling sector at an industry meeting ahead of 2026. He said the changes were needed to protect businesses and counter illegal gambling.
A sector reorganisation could affect Italian gambling businesses and efforts to address illegal gambling.
The day’s most important stories, free. One email a day.
It was reported that AGIC called for reform of Italy’s physical gambling market to receive urgent attention. The association represents concessionaires including bet365, Brightstar, Eurobet, Lottomatica and Sisal.
Agic warned that delays to Italy’s reform of land-based gambling and restrictions on the location of authorised venues could favour illegal gambling, according to a report. The association called for the reform to be completed and the rules on venue distribution to be revised; the report said the process had stalled after discussions between the government, regions and local authorities.
AGIC called for Italy to complete reform of the retail gambling sector, citing concessions that have operated for years under extensions and fragmented regional and municipal rules. Research by MDF Partners reported 2025 gross gaming revenue of €21.6bn and tax revenue of €11.5bn; online gambling grew 11% year on year while retail was broadly stable.
Elisabetta Poso, director of the Customs and Monopolies Agency’s entertainment machines office, said she hoped Italy would reform land-based gambling soon. Speaking at a seminar on the 2026 gambling market, she called for fiscal rebalancing and stronger protections.
At a meeting on Italy’s gambling-sector outlook, AGIC president Gennaro Schettino said illegal gambling was exerting growing pressure on the market. He called for clear rules and stronger sanctions.