Italy is a country situated in southern Europe and is headed by Rome as its capital; it is neighbored by France, Switzerland, Austria and Slovenia to the north and by the Adriatic Sea, Ionian Sea and the Tyrrhenian Sea to the east, south and west respectively. Brushing the walls of sports and betting. It has the beautiful sceneries and the love for sporting activities, sports betting and bookmakers. Here in this detailed guide, we will be looking at the world of Italy sports betting and the laws surrounding Italy bookmakers.
Table of Contents
Summary of Key Events
Bookmakers Gambling Laws and Legislation
The History of Gambling in Italy
Italys culture of gambling has developed over time. For the past, gambling was highly prohibited with very strict laws to discourage it in the society. Although in the past the Italian government has not allowed gambling on its territory, today it is gradually liberalizing the gambling legislation for the domestic and international markets.
- 2006: The Bersani Decree of the Law Decree No 223/2006 converted into Law No 248/2006 was a turning point in the Italian market of horse-racing and sports betting for it allowed the operators from Italy and foreign countries who met the conditions of reliability to operate on the market.
- 2009: Law No 88/2009 stipulated that the gaming activities of minors were prohibited and also increased the measures of identification checks for online gaming accounts.
- 2022: MEF issued Decree No 145/2022 that brought the following major changes regarding fixed-odds bets on non-horse sporting events and non-sporting events.
Current Regulatory Framework
The Italian gambling market is governed mostly by the Autonomous Administration of State Monopolies (AAMS), which is now the ADM; Agenzia delle Accise, Dogane e Monopoli. This body is in charge of the licensing of gambling and the supervision of gambling business within the country.
Types of Allowed and Prohibited Bets
Legal Betting Activities
Italy offers a broad spectrum of legal betting options, catering to various interests:
- Number Games with Fixed Odds: Some of the most known games are Superenalotto, Eurojackpot and Win for Life.
- Sports-Based Betting: Offers services in fixed odds football, basketball and other sports betting.
- Horse-Race Betting
- Non-Sporting Events Betting: Also, it provides bets on music competition television shows, such as Sanremo, Eurovision Song Contest, and other reality shows.
- Traditional and Instant Lotteries
- Betting Exchange
Prohibited Betting Activities
While Italy has liberalized its gambling laws, specific activities remain prohibited:
- The prohibited use of gaming machines; penalties include monetary fines of up to EUR 50,000 and asset forfeiture (Article 110 paragraph 9 TULPS).
- Touting or arranging of lotteries and betting activities which are prohibited and reserved for the State shall be penalized by imprisonment and fines ranging from EUR 20,000 to EUR 50,000 (Article 4 Law No 401/1989).
Licensing and Charges for Italy Bookmakers
Licensing Requirements
All the bookmakers are required to acquire a license from a body known as ADM in order to conduct their business in Italy. Licensing is a process in which the ADM puts out tenders which are then adhered to by the applicants who must meet certain requirements. Licensing occurs in certain times referred to as the licensing windows and the licenses are issued on the first come first served basis.
- 2009: Specifically, 21 concessions were given for nine years at a total of 414 000 EUR per concession, with the renewal costs being 46 000 EUR per year.
- 2015: There were 59 concessions which were granted for seven years at the price of EUR 230000 for one concession with annual price for the extension of EUR 32 857.
- 2022: The Budget Law 2023 prolonged the existing permits till the 31 December 2024.
License Fees
License fees vary depending on the type of gambling activity:
- Remote Collection of Public Games: Effective up to December 31, 2024.
- Bingo Game Collections: This has been extended up to the 31st of December, 2024.
- Telematic Management of Gaming Networks: Stretching until the end of the year 2024.
- Collection of Bets on Sporting Events: Including horse racing and virtual events, the above measure is effective from the time of this Order and until December 31, 2024.
Gambling Taxes
The Italian government imposes various taxes on gambling activities to regulate the industry and generate revenue:
- Sports Betting: This payment shall be 5% of the gross gaming revenue.
- Casinos: The first comission being 20% on the gross profits.
- Bingo and Other Games of Chance: 11% flat rate.
- Poker Tournaments: A three percent tax on the total sum of the buy-ins of the tournament.
Sports Betting in Italy
Sports betting is a significant part of Italy’s gambling landscape, offering numerous opportunities for bettors:
Popular Sports for Betting
- Football: The most popular one is football with Serie A matches being among the most-watched and most bet on.
- Basketball: It involves both the local championships and the international ones for instance the EuroLeague.
- Cycling: Things like the Giro d’Italia for instance.
- Tennis: Grand slams and other Pro events and ATP/WTA tour.
- Horse Racing: Traditionally it is associated with big races for which people place large amounts of money on.
Sporting Event Glory Milestones
- 1934: It is the first time that Italy becomes the FIFA World Cup champion.
- 1968: A new champion is crowned, Italy becomes the new European Champion.
- 1982: Italy clinches the world cup trophy for the third time.
- 2006: Italy becomes the fourth time FIFA World Cup champion.
- 2021: Italy is the champion of UEFA European Championship.
Conclusion
From the very strict laws distinguishing the Italian gambling segment to the relatively more open environment that exists today, it can be concluded that the Italian authorities have taken a rational approach to the regulation of gambling business and the protection of the public interest. Thus, the ADM serves as the guardian of compliance and integrity of the market, thus making Italy one of the key players in the global gambling sector.
In order to turn to Italy’s sports betting market to find the perfect solution for one’s needs, it is crucial to comprehend the current legal environment and conditions. For the regular bettor or the new one, Italy bookmakers are a rich source of great options that can improve your betting experience.
FAQ – Italy Bookmakers
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