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eSports betting has been finally launched in Italy, creating new opportunities after the full liberalization of the sports betting market in Italy. I had already discussed about the completion of the full liberalization of the Italian sports betting market in Italy.
Operators still need to go through an authorization process with the Italian gaming regulator in relation to each type of bets and each event that they want to offer. But – once such approval is obtained – operators manage the notification of the results to the regulator as opposed to what used to happen up to a few months ago.
Also, save for the prior authorization process referred above, no restriction applies the actual betting offering. This means that operators are able to offer on their Italian licensed platform the same markets available on their .COM platform.
Launch of eSports betting in Italy
On the basis of the principles referred above, it is not a surprise that the regulator has also approved the offering of bets on some eSports events.
However, this does not mean that bets can be placed on any eSports event. Indeed, events on which bets can be placed cannot be in contrast with the morality, public order and public decency. And the Italian regulator certainly considered such restrictions in assessing on what type of games bets could be placed.
eSports betting would be subject to an 18% GGR tax for land based betting and a 22% GGR tax for online betting as other sports betting products making the offering even more attractive.
What is the next step?
I have already covered eSports in all its variations. In addition to eSports betting, there are eSports
- tournaments that fall under skill games regulations with specific provisions aimed at making the game softer and provide for lighter regulatory obligations and
- fantasy games that fall under the same regulations applicable to daily fantasy sports.
Both types of games can now benefit of a more favourable tax regime with a 20% GGR tax.
On the same topic, you may read “eSports – between gambling, promotions and social gaming“.
