Italy revolutionises online gaming: what changes from November 13
12 November 2025 marks the end of an era for online gaming in Italy. At midnight, all existing remote gaming licences formally expire, bringing to a close a regulatory framework that has governed the industry for over a decade. From 13 November, a new licensing regime comes into force under Legislative Decree No. 41/2024, which completely redesigns the regulatory architecture of the online sector.
Industry observers describe it as a “watershed moment”: After years of operating under an outdated system, the market is entering a new phase defined by greater selectivity, transparency and control.
Fewer operators, more strength and accountability
With the new framework in place, Italy’s online market becomes more concentrated and tightly regulated. The competitive tender run by the Customs and Monopolies Agency (ADM) awarded 52 licences to 46 operators, chosen based on far stricter financial and technical requirements than before.
The state collected €364 million in licence fees, but more importantly, it achieved a market now restricted to operators with proven capacity in compliance, anti-money-laundering, consumer protection and cybersecurity. The aim is clear: to establish a sustainable, responsible ecosystem where integrity and accountability are the cornerstones of the business.
The end of “skins”: the single-domain model takes over
One of the most significant changes is the abolition of the skin system, which for years allowed licensees to operate multiple domains or grant third-party brands access to their platforms. From 13 November, each licensee will be authorised to operate one single gaming domain, directly traceable to the company holding the concession. Approximately 350 skins currently active will be discontinued or required to migrate to compliant models.
The reform aims to reduce market fragmentation, enhance transparency, and simplify oversight, giving ADM a stronger ability to monitor gaming activity and ensure player protection.
Six-month transition for full implementation
Although the new licences officially take effect on 13 November, operators will have six months, until 14 May 2026, to complete the technical transition. During this period, licensees must:
– integrate the updated ADM control systems;
– align all gaming interfaces with the new technical standards;
– strengthen their AML (Anti-Money Laundering) and KYC (Know Your Customer) frameworks;
– manage an orderly migration of users from old platforms to new ones.
This transition phase will be one of the most delicate moments of the entire reform, given the high volume of active players and the need to ensure service continuity.
A smaller market under stricter rules
The new regime not only reduces the number of active operators but also tightens the requirements for direct oversight and responsible gaming. Stronger measures will apply to player verification, spending limits, and self-protection tools.
ADM’s objective is to balance regulatory certainty with player safety, promoting a more responsible and secure gaming environment. The reform is also designed to protect the legal market from unfair competition and unregulated activity, ensuring a level playing field for licensed operators.
Political backdrop: towards a comprehensive reform
The overhaul of online gaming is only the first step in a broader reform agenda. The government is still discussing the restructuring of the land-based gaming sector, with the goal of harmonising requirements, security standards and authorisation procedures across all channels, online and offline.
The vision is to establish a coherent, integrated national system that covers remote gaming, retail operations, and physical points of sale under a unified set of rules.
The launch of the new online regime therefore represents the foundation of a wider reform aimed at modernising Italy’s entire public gaming framework, in line with European regulatory standards.
The PVR issue: a legal dispute in progress
Parallel to the introduction of the new system, the Recharge Point (PVR) scheme remains the subject of legal contention. The Council of State has granted an urgent hearing request to examine the appeal against ADM’s 25 October 2024 directive, which established the official register of PVRs linked to online gaming licences.
The appeal – filed by several operators represented by lawyers Mariateresa Parrelli, Marco Ripamonti, Alvise Vergerio Di Cesana and Luca Porfiri – challenges both the directive and the related FAQs published by ADM, which appellants claim are detrimental to their interests.
The Council of State has scheduled a public hearing for 11 December 2025, opting for an accelerated timetable without yet ruling on the legality of the measure itself.
Market value: a growing industry
Despite regulatory tightening, Italy’s online gaming market continues to expand. According to ADM’s Blue Book, the gross gaming revenue (GGR) – the difference between stakes and winnings – reached €4.35 billion in 2023, up from €3.88 billion in 2022 and €3.72 billion in 2021.
Preliminary estimates suggest that in 2024 the figure will climb to around €5 billion, confirming online gaming’s strategic role in Italy’s broader gaming economy.
The new era of Italian online gaming
The 13 November 2025 milestone officially ushers in a new era for Italy’s online gaming industry. The market now faces the challenge of maintaining efficiency, innovation and competitiveness within a far more regulated environment.
Over the coming months, success will depend on how well operators combine technological innovation with social responsibility, ensuring that growth goes hand in hand with player protection and market integrity. With this reform, Italy positions itself as a European benchmark for transparent, accountable and sustainable online gaming governance.
This article was first published in Italian on 11 November 2025.
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