Italy’s Gambling Overhaul Accelerates as Political, Financial and Sporting Pressures Converge
Italy is heading into a crucial period for its gambling sector, with the government preparing to roll out long-discussed reforms. What was once a fairly technical policy update has grown into something much bigger, touching on crime, taxation, and the financial struggles of Italian football.
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After months of waiting, a new decree focused on land-based gambling is finally close. Officials say it should be presented to the government within days, following nearly two years of back-and-forth between national authorities and regional leaders.
The plan is to clean up how physical gambling venues are licensed and run. Right now, rules can vary depending on where you are in the country. The idea is to bring everything under a clearer, more consistent framework, especially when it comes to player protection.
There is also a stronger push behind the scenes to deal with illegal gambling. Authorities are concerned not just about lost tax income, but about the wider risks. Unregulated betting is often tied to organised crime and money laundering, and the government wants to tighten control of the legal market to push those operators out.
One detail that has taken time to settle is how money from gambling should be divided. A proposal on the table would give regional governments a direct share of revenues. That could help ease tensions that have slowed progress in the past and make local authorities more supportive of the system.
The clock is ticking
There is one big complication. Time is short.
The reform needs to be wrapped up before the end of August. If that deadline slips, the process for issuing new licences will stall again, and temporary extensions may have to be used instead. That would leave the sector stuck in a holding pattern for even longer.
Even once the government signs off, the decree still has to go through further steps, including reviews by regional bodies and parliamentary committees. In other words, there is not much room for delays.
Football changes the tone
At the same time, events in Italian football have pushed gambling back into the spotlight in an unexpected way.
Italy missing out on the 2026 World Cup has led to a broader conversation about how the sport is run and funded. Politicians are now looking more closely at whether betting revenues should play a role.
One idea gaining traction is the so-called “right to bet.” It would allow a portion of betting income linked to sporting events to be fed back into the sports themselves.
Supporters argue that clubs and leagues are currently doing the heavy lifting. They organise matches, invest in players, and build competitions, yet they do not directly benefit from the betting activity that surrounds those events. A new system could help fund stadium upgrades, youth programmes, and other long-term projects.
There is also a belief that bringing betting and sport closer together could help tackle illegal markets. If official organisers are more involved, it may become easier to track data and spot suspicious activity.
Old rules under pressure
Another piece of the puzzle is the advertising ban introduced in 2018.
That law blocked gambling companies from promoting their services or sponsoring sports teams. It was meant to reduce harm, but it has also hit revenues, especially in football and broadcasting.
Clubs and media companies have been arguing for years that the ban has cost them heavily. Some estimates put the loss close to €1 billion. Meanwhile, unlicensed operators have continued to find ways to reach Italian customers, which has led to questions about whether the policy is still working as intended.
The government is now being pushed to take another look. Any changes, though, would have to balance commercial interests with the need to protect players.
A lot to juggle at once
What makes this moment tricky is that everything is happening together.
The land-based gambling reform is moving forward. The discussion around sharing betting revenues with sports is gaining pace. The debate over advertising rules is back on the table.
All of this is unfolding under tight deadlines and growing public attention.
Sports Minister Andrea Abodi is expected to be central to the next phase, especially as talks continue with football authorities and other stakeholders about how a revenue-sharing system might work.
A defining few months ahead
Italy now has a chance to reset how gambling fits into its economy.
If the reforms go through, they could bring more structure to the market, limit illegal activity, and provide a financial boost to sectors like football that are clearly under strain.
If they do not, the country risks staying stuck with a system that many already see as outdated.
Either way, the next few months will be important. The decisions made now will shape how gambling and sport interact in Italy for years to come.
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