Italy Extends Online Gambling Licensing Deadline Amid High Entry Costs and Regulatory Overhaul

Italy’s gambling regulator, Agenzia delle Dogane e dei Monopoli (ADM), has extended the approval window for new online gambling licences to 12 November, allowing more time to complete rigorous checks on applicants in the country’s most significant licensing shake-up in years.

Originally set to close on 17 September, the licensing process will now continue through the autumn, with no formal update on whether the extension affects existing operators, who—under previous guidance—can continue until March 2026 before requiring a new licence to remain active.

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The extension comes as the market adapts to a tougher licensing environment and substantially higher entry costs. While 46 applicants have so far received provisional approval—including Flutter-owned Betfair, Sisal, and Snaitech, along with Bet365, 888, LeoVegas, Betsson and William Hill—each must now pay a €7 million licence fee per vertical, a dramatic leap from the €200,000 charged in the previous 2018 round.

The sharp increase in cost has proven a barrier for smaller operators, reflected in the reduced number of applications. In 2018, ADM received 93 applications, with 81 licences granted—nearly double the current tally.

New licensees will also face tighter regulatory requirements, including increased taxes—24.5% on sports betting GGR and 25.5% on casino GGR, plus an annual fee of 3% of GGR. Operators must invest a minimum of 0.2% of GGR in responsible gambling measures, capped at €1 million, and implement a full suite of player protection tools, including limits on deposits, losses, and session times.

As Italy positions itself for a more consolidated, tightly regulated online gambling landscape, market insiders suggest the combination of higher costs and stricter obligations may lead to fewer but more robust operators in what remains one of Europe’s largest iGaming markets.

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