Italy unveils plans to slash the number of online betting brands

Summary

Italy’s Customs and Monopolies Agency (ADM) has announced a major regulatory overhaul that will restrict each licence-holder to a single website and effectively end the use of ‘skin’ sites. The reform will reduce the number of active online gaming websites from 407 to 52, with 46 companies holding those 52 licences. The new rules come into force on 13 November as part of a revamped regulated online gambling framework.

The government has also moved to tackle illegal gambling. The Ministry of Economy and Finance (MEF), together with ADM and state tech hub SOGEI, is developing a “cyber security shield” to block access to unauthorised gambling domains on devices offering public internet access. Businesses such as cafés and kiosks will be required to install the blocking software on public PCs, tablets and kiosks; breaches will attract fines and, in serious cases, potentially criminal charges. ADM has already blacklisted thousands of illegal domains and recently blocked another 23 unauthorised sites.

Key Points

ADM will limit each licence-holder to one website, eliminating resold ‘skin’ websites.
The active number of online gaming sites will fall from 407 to 52 under the new rules.
46 companies will operate in the revamped market, holding a total of 52 licences.
New measures include a “cyber security shield” to block unauthorised gambling domains on public internet devices.
Operators providing public internet access must install anti-illegality software on PCs, kiosks and tablets or face fines and possible criminal sanctions.
ADM continues to blacklist illegal domains (11,481 domains to date) and recently blocked 23 more unauthorised sites.
EGBA estimated around €1bn of illegal gambling activity in Italy in 2023, underscoring the scale of the black market problem.

Context and relevance

This is a significant regulatory shake-up for Italy’s iGaming market. By removing skins and sharply reducing the number of operable websites, regulators aim to simplify oversight, reduce regulatory arbitrage and curb the large illegal market that has persisted despite enforcement actions. The new public-access device blocking requirement represents a tougher, tech-driven enforcement approach that could influence regulatory thinking elsewhere in Europe.

Why should I read this?

Because this is a proper market clean‑up — fewer sites, tighter rules, and mandatory tech to block illegal access. If you work in iGaming, affiliates, compliance, payments or retail hospitality in Italy (or nearby markets), this changes who you can partner with and how you stay compliant. It’s short, sharp and worth a quick read so you know whether to scramble or breathe easy.

Author style

Punchy: This isn’t a tweak — it’s a major market reset. Operators and partners need to pay attention now: licences, commercial models and on‑site public internet practices are all being forced to change. Read the detail if you have exposure to Italy; it’s likely to affect contracts, traffic sourcing and enforcement risk immediately.