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The Italian Senate has just passed a new law that further regulates the always closer launch of the so called “Videolottery” (VLT) i.e. video terminals to be placed in gaming halls and that will randomly generate winning combinations.
The new law prescribes that – up to the expire of the current network licenses concerning the so called NewSlots (a type of legalised slot machines) – the network licenses for VLTs will be assigned to the current NewSlot licensees which will require the extension of their license by November 20, 2009 AND to other operators selected by the Italian gaming authority (AAMS) which shall fulfill the same conditions required to the current licensees.
This measure is clearly aimed at allowing the immediate opening of the VLT’s market to new operators, including foreign operators. Indeed, the goal of the current NewSlot licensees was to be the exclusive network licensees for NewSlots and VLTs up to the expire of their licenses (expected at the end of 2010) so that they could gain a competitive advantage compared to new operators which will subsequently enter into the market.
It will be interesting to see whether major foreign operators will decide to enter into the Italian market following this legislative development.
