Italy’s MEF reports 8.4% fall in gaming tax revenue in first half of 2026

Italy’s Ministry of Economy and Finance reported that tax revenue from lotteries and other gaming activities reached €3.071bn in January to June 2026, down €281m or 8.4% from a year earlier. The MEF said the decline mainly reflected a shift in demand from physical machines to online and remote skill-based gaming, which it described as subject to significantly lower taxation. It said overall gaming stakes continued to grow.