MEF reports €5.452bn in gaming tax revenue for January–September 2026

Gaming tax revenue came to €5.452bn in the January to September period, according to the Ministry of Economy and Finance (MEF), which said this was €334m, or 5.8%, less than in the same period a year earlier. On indirect taxes alone, lotteries and other gaming activities generated €4.529bn, a decline of €377m, equal to 7.7%. The ministry linked much of the €334m loss to gaming machines and devices, whose revenue dropped by €273m, or 7.0%.

The MEF said the machines category had recorded a progressive reduction in play and in the resulting tax revenue since 2024. The ministry said the trend could reflect the growing appeal of other types of gaming, including remote offerings, which differ in terms of player winnings and operator margins.

In the state budget summary, the January to September 2026 pre-closing figures include €306m of proceeds from gaming activities and €3.633bn from gaming machines. For September alone, those figures were €40m from gaming activities and €367m from gaming machines. Cash receipts for January to September 2026 included €305m from gaming activities and €3.586bn from gaming machines. In September, receipts were €39m from gaming activities and €354m from gaming machines.