Report estimates Italy’s illegal gambling market at €20bn
A report by Data Room Nexus Observatory estimated Italy’s illegal online gambling market at €20bn and said more than 4.5 million people accessed unauthorised platforms in the first three months of 2026. Researchers monitored about 500 gambling-related websites, while the report said more than 90% of traffic came through smartphones. It also reported that Italian authorities blocked more than 1,000 illegal gambling websites during 2025, but replacement sites often reappeared.
Illegal platforms reached millions of users and replacement sites reappeared after blocks, challenging enforcement and competition for licensed operators.