Italy’s Gaming Reform: Boosting Security in the Gambling Sector
As modern gambling continues to merge with new technologies and cross-border entertainment trends, industry regulations in Europe are becoming more important than ever. Before diving deeper into Italy’s upcoming changes, it’s worth taking a broader look at how digital gambling evolves in other markets — especially when new tools, such as the top gambling tech, are reshaping security and player experience across Europe.
While Sweden already enforces one of the strictest regulatory frameworks in the gaming world, Italy is now preparing to restructure its gambling laws with a reform designed to increase safety, regulate physical gaming venues, and reduce illegal activity — a topic that matters to anyone interested in safe, regulated online gambling.
Why Italy Is Reforming Its Gambling Laws
The Italian gambling sector — especially physical bingo halls and casino venues — suffered major economic setbacks during the COVID-19 pandemic. Months of lockdown forced closures, caused mass layoffs, and deeply affected the industry’s tax revenue.
As a result, pressure grew on the Italian government to modernize its regulation model. The reform draft, endorsed by the Italian State General Accounting Office, is aimed at stabilizing the entire sector, protecting legal jobs, and reactivating licensing procedures that were blocked during the pandemic period.
A Reform Pushed by the Ministry of Economy
Federico Freni, Italy’s Undersecretary of Economy with responsibility for gaming policies, argues that the reform cannot be delayed. He emphasizes that the law should be approved in coordination with Parliament — especially because it impacts taxation, employment, and public welfare.
His key message: The gambling sector is not just entertainment — it is a high-impact industry with strong ties to the economy, national revenue, and public health. A controlled, licensed environment is the only way to prevent criminal infiltration and keep players safe.
The End of Emergency Restrictions and the Need for New Rules
Italy officially ended its COVID-19 state of emergency on March 31st, which reopened indoor venues including gaming halls, bingo centers, and sports betting shops. However, many cities still impose strict local restrictions on where physical gambling venues may operate, leading to uneven regulation and in some cases, closure of lawful businesses.
To solve this, the reform aims to create a unified national regulatory framework — one set of rules that applies equally across all regions and municipalities.
Clear National Licensing = Less Illegal Gambling
The lack of consistency in recent years has pushed many players toward illegal online platforms, especially those operating without Italian or EU certification. Research by PriceWaterhouseCoopers (PwC) shows that in markets where regulation becomes too restrictive or fragmented, illegal gambling grows quickly — something Sweden has also seen as players abandon licensed platforms in favor of offshore sites.
Italy’s solution:
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Relaunch national licensing tenders
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Standardize rules for all operators
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Strengthen enforcement against unlicensed casinos, both offline and online
These measures are designed not only to create safer gambling conditions but also to protect tax revenue that would otherwise be lost to illegal markets.
What the Reform Will Change for Land-Based Gambling
The draft law focuses heavily on physical gaming venues — especially bingo halls, historically one of Italy’s most iconic formats. Many halls are still operating at reduced capacity due to regional restrictions, which vary from city to city.
The reform proposes:
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Full return to pre-pandemic capacity levels
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National zoning criteria for gaming halls
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A shared planning model between national regulators and local governments
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A transparent, centralized licensing process
This is expected to reduce legal uncertainty, attract new investors, and allow the government to track gaming activity much more efficiently.
How the Reform Supports Player Protection and Social Responsibility
Italy’s long-term model is built on balancing economic security with public safety. The new guidelines include:
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Stronger requirements for responsible gambling tools
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Mandatory identity verification to prevent minors from access
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Increased monitoring of gambling behavior to detect risk patterns
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Rules to combat addiction and support vulnerable groups
This mirrors the Nordic model of player protection — especially Sweden’s national self-exclusion system (Spelpaus) — even though Italy has not yet implemented a central exclusion database of similar scale.
Why The Reform Also Impacts the Banking System
One overlooked aspect of the Italian gambling industry is the difficulty gaming companies have when dealing with banks. Even licensed operators often face discrimination or automatic rejection when opening business accounts because gambling is treated as a “high-risk activity.”
The new reform directly addresses this issue by adding legal recognition of gaming operators as official state concessionaires — ensuring they are entitled to standard financial services, increased transparency, and monitored transactions.
Technology, Security, and the Fight Against Illegal Gambling
The new law also plans to strengthen digital surveillance and cybersecurity within the industry. This includes:
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Improved auditing of online platforms
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Anti-fraud automation and AI risk detection
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Real-time regulatory reporting
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Stricter penalties for tax evasion and money laundering
Italy’s goal is to become one of the most technologically secure gaming jurisdictions in Europe — a strategic move, considering that digital gambling is now responsible for a large portion of the country’s total gaming revenue.
A Reform Focused on Future Growth, Not Just Regulation
Unlike emergency legislation passed during the pandemic, this reform is meant to rebuild long-term trust between the government, operators, and citizens.
The three pillars of the bill are:
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Economic sustainability — protecting jobs and tax revenue
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Legal clarity — removing regional conflicts and uncertainty
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Social responsibility — safeguarding players and public health
If approved, the reform will unlock new concessions, attract regulated investment, and make Italy a more competitive market again — especially in the European casino sector.
Final Considerations for Swedish Readers
Why should this matter to a Swedish audience? Because both countries face similar challenges:
| Issue | Sweden | Italy |
|---|---|---|
| Illegal offshore casinos | Rising trend | Strong expansion during pandemic |
| Stricter bonus limits | Yes, 1 bonus rule | Expected approval of bonus caps |
| Market modernization needed | Yes — aging licensing model | Yes — urgent post-pandemic recovery |
| Strong player protection system | ✅ Spelpaus | ? Under development |
As Sweden continues adjusting its own gaming laws, Italy’s reform offers a valuable case study: how to protect vulnerable players without eliminating competitive entertainment.
For those who follow cross-European gambling culture, this shift also mirrors the path of several well-known international gaming brands and sports stars — including famous Nordic athletes like Swedish football talent who became icons across multiple leagues.
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