Italy Gambling Licenses 2026: Higher Costs, New Retail Rules, and What Operators Should Expect

Italy is not just launching a tender for new gambling licenses in 2026, it is adopting a concrete shift in how the Italian retail gaming market will be structured.

For years, attempts to reform land‑based gambling have stalled or progressed unevenly. This time, however, the reform appears to be taking concrete shape. The upcoming meeting on 10 April 2026 between the Ministry of Economy and Finance (MEF) and representatives of local municipalities is expected to play a decisive role in defining the framework that will govern retail gambling going forward.

And the direction is already clear: higher entry costs, fewer operators, and stronger regulatory control.

 

A new regulatory mindset

The approach behind the 2026 licenses suggests the Italian legislator is pursuing three main goals:

• reducing fragmentation in the market
• increasing oversight of retail gambling distribution
• ensuring that only financially strong and fully compliant operators remain active

This shift mirrors a broader European trend: regulation built around risk management, consumer protection and long‑term sustainability, rather than solely fiscal revenue.

 

Higher costs, higher barriers

One of the most noticeable changes concerns the cost of betting licenses. Under the new framework:

• a package of 25 betting rights (i.e., betting shop licenses) will cost €1.5 million
• each individual betting shop license will therefore be priced at €60,000
• no distinction will be made between betting shops and betting corners

While this is legally a neutral parameter, commercially it is anything but. Higher entry costs will likely drive:

• stronger barriers to entry
• additional pressure on small and mid‑size operators
• faster market consolidation

And because the tender is competitive, final prices may rise further.

 

Slot and VLT licenses: same numbers, new context

For AWP and VLT licenses, the tender structure remains broadly the same:

• EUR25 million per lot
• each lot includes:
• 4,000 slot licenses
• 920 VLT licenses
• 800 retail points
• operators may acquire up to 34% of available rights (maximum 17 lots)

Although the numbers have not changed, the market around them has. Operators must now navigate:

• stricter AML requirements
• heightened responsible‑gambling obligations
• increased regulatory controls
• growing competition from online channels

Thus, even without a formal price increase, the true cost of operating is significantly higher.

 

Bingo hall licenses: room for growth but with uncertainties

The bingo tender moves in a different direction. Based on current information:

• about 210 bingo hall licenses will be offered
• each license will have a base price of EUR350,000
• the number of licenses exceeds the roughly 180 active halls today

This indicates potential expansion. Yet several questions remain:

• Will the market support additional halls?
• Can newcomers realistically compete with established networks?
• How will bingo evolve in a landscape increasingly influenced by digital play?

The success of this segment will depend on the ability of operators to innovate and blend physical and digital experiences.

 

Local authorities: the decisive variable

One of the most complex elements in the new licensing cycle is the role of local authorities.

The involvement of municipal representatives confirms that regions and municipalities will continue to shape:

• location and zoning restrictions
• minimum distance requirements
• permitted operating hours

This creates an inherent tension:

• the national license grants the right to operate
• local rules determine whether, where, and how that right can be exercised

From a legal standpoint, this remains one of the most challenging aspects of Italian gambling regulation.

 

Compliance as a competitive advantage

A clear message emerges from the upcoming tender: compliance is no longer just an obligation, it is a differentiator.

Operators that excel at:

• AML compliance
• data‑protection governance
• responsible‑gambling implementation

will be positioned to succeed in a tighter, more selective market. Those unable to meet heightened expectations will struggle to remain viable.

The Italian gambling market is not preparing for change, it is already changing. The real question is whether operators are ready to adapt to a landscape where scale, compliance, and strategic positioning will determine who remains in the game.

You can read about the different gambling regimes in almost 50 jurisdictions in the DLA Piper Gambling Laws of the World guide.