Italy Shuts Illegal Betting Centres, Fines Exceed €20,000

Italian regulators have closed two illegal betting centres in Sicily after inspectors uncovered gambling operations that allegedly operated outside the country’s regulated network. The enforcement action resulted in administrative fines exceeding €20,000 and the seizure of computer terminals believed to have bypassed Italy’s gaming tax system.

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The joint operation involved the Italian Customs and Monopolies Agency (ADM) and the Guardia di Finanza. Inspectors visited 14 betting shops and gaming halls across Agrigento province, including Porto Empedocle, Favara, Raffadali, Palma di Montechiaro, Campobello di Licata, Ribera and the Pelagie Islands.

Illegal betting operation uncovered

The investigation identified two locations functioning as unlicensed betting collection centres.

At one site in Porto Empedocle, officers confiscated two computer terminals that were not connected to Italy’s national gaming network and carried no official identification codes. Because the devices operated outside the regulated system, authorities believe bets placed through them could avoid the mandatory recording process used to calculate the country’s single national gaming levy, known as PREU.

The discovery triggered criminal proceedings. The business owner connected to the premises has been referred to prosecutors in Agrigento on suspicion of running illegal betting activities. Authorities stressed that the individual remains presumed innocent unless a court rules otherwise.

Enforcement comes as gambling reforms stall

The latest raids arrive while Italy continues to debate broader gambling reforms.

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Earlier this month, lawmakers introduced legislation that would add a 2% levy to every domestic football bet placed in Italy, both online and in retail betting shops. The proposed tax would apply to matches organised by the Italian Football Federation and its affiliated leagues, with the proceeds earmarked to support the country’s football system.

The enforcement campaign also lands against a backdrop of prolonged uncertainty for licensed operators.

Industry representatives have recently warned that repeated extensions of national gambling concessions have slowed the development of Italy’s regulated market. They argue that the lack of a comprehensive reform framework has limited long-term planning and weakened efforts to steer players toward licensed operators.

The land-based sector has been a particular focus of that debate. Industry groups maintain that restricting legal betting outlets without wider regulatory reform risks pushing gambling activity toward unlicensed operators, where oversight is limited and consumer protections are largely absent.

ADM and the Guardia di Finanza indicated that inspections will continue as part of ongoing efforts to combat illegal gambling, prevent tax evasion, protect vulnerable consumers and disrupt criminal activity linked to the sector.

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Source: igamingexpert.com