Italy overhauls gambling laws with new AWS certification system by year's end
Italy is set to revamp its land-based gambling sector with a draft decree anticipated later this year. The proposed reforms aim to replace the current mix of national and local rules with a single, unified system. Officials hope this will simplify regulations while bolstering protections for consumers and minors.
The new framework would introduce an aws certification system managed by Italy's customs and monopolies agency, ADM. Venues holding this certificate would face stricter but more flexible rules than non-certified locations. For instance, certified gambling sites would close for 6.5 hours daily, while others would shut for 8 hours.
Distance restrictions would also shift under the plan. Italian certified venues would need to stay at least 100 metres from schools, places of worship, and other sensitive areas. Non-certified locations would face a 200-metre buffer. The reforms would apply to gaming machines, betting shops, bingo halls, and video lottery terminals.
The government expects the changes to reduce the number of slot machines from around 240,000 to 200,000. New concession tenders for slots, betting, and bingo could launch by the end of the year, potentially generating €2bn in tax revenue. However, the legislative process remains intricate, requiring approval from the Council of Ministers, regional authorities, and parliamentary committees.
The push for reform follows years of stagnant negotiations between central, regional, and local governments. If successful, the decree would mark the first significant update to Italy's gambling laws in over a decade.
The proposed decree would establish a single set of rules for gambling venues across Italy. It would also reduce the number of machines and adjust operating hours based on aws certification. Final approval depends on multiple government bodies, but officials aim to finalise the changes before the year ends.
