Italy’s Gambling Regulator Unveils Ambitious 2025–2027 Reform Plan

Italy’s Customs and Monopolies Agency (ADM) has unveiled its ambitious Activity and Organisation Plan (PIAO) for 2025-2027 that seeks to modernize, regulate, and bring greater transparency to the nation’s gambling sector. The strategy has special provisions in Italy’s 2025 Budget and aims to establish new compliance measures, introduce technological advancements, and strengthen anti-money laundering (AML) controls.

The ADM Will Follow EU Best Practices

Through the new regulation framework, the ADM intends to reinforce consumer protection, particularly among vulnerable groups, while ensuring greater transparency in gambling concessions. The initiative builds upon the March 2024 “Reorganisation of Gambling Decree,” which laid the foundation for Italy’s most extensive gambling reform in recent history.

The ADM’s mission is not limited to fiscal aspects alone. It also concerns the improvement of economic and social well-being and the protection of citizens’ health and safety.

ADM report

The regulator aims to curb fraud and criminal influences through a more strict licensing process, enhanced financial monitoring, and new measures to combat black-market gambling, which currently costs Italy €1 billion ($1.09 billion) in lost revenue annually. The ADM will also upgrade its IT infrastructure to automate verification processes, cross-check operator data, and flag potential compliance breaches more efficiently.

Enhanced anti-AML measures will align with European Union directives, focusing on identifying suspicious transactions and financial flows within the gambling industry. The ADM plans to cooperate with the Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU) and Financial Police and implement a real-time centralized monitoring system for tracking player behavior, financial transactions, and operator actions.

Technological Innovations Will Enhance Enforcement

Starting in 2025, the ADM has vowed to double its inspections of online and brick-and-mortar gambling providers, mandate operators to submit enhanced self-declarations, and impose a 25-day concession fee payment deadline to reduce delays. Since these ambitious plans require considerable personnel, the Agency aims to bolster its ranks with 2,400 new employees.

To further streamline enforcement, the ADM is investing heavily in AI-driven compliance tools, aiming to enhance the licensing process, detect problem gamblers, and identify potential fraud cases. Additionally, the regulator is rolling out an open data portal, giving the public and industry stakeholders more transparency on licensing decisions, compliance reports, and enforcement.

New tools will assist in combating irregular activities and administrative and tax non-compliance, allowing for constant verification of the work of the gaming sector entities.

ADM report

The ADM’s reforms come as Italy is considering reintroducing gambling sponsorships in sports. If approved, the measure could provide a financial boost to Italian football clubs, who have long lobbied for a revision of the ban. Additional consumer-facing protections could also prove pivotal for protecting the public from the social burdens of gambling, especially given the increased exposure a sponsorship ban would entail.