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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.
Over the past few years, we have seen several attempts to reform land-based gambling in Italy. This time, however, the process appears far more advanced. The upcoming 10 April 2026 meeting between the Ministry of Economy and Finance (MEF) and the representatives of local municipalities is expected to be a key milestone in defining the framework that will reshape retail gambling across the country.
And the direction is already emerging: higher entry costs, fewer operators, and a more tightly controlled market.
Italy Gambling Licenses 2026 Update: A Different Regulatory Approach
The Italian legislator with the new gambling licenses appears to be pursuing three clear objectives:
- reducing fragmentation in the market;
- increasing oversight on retail gambling distribution;
- ensuring that only financially robust and compliant operators remain active.
This is aligned with a wider European trend, where gambling regulation is increasingly focused on risk management, consumer protection, and market sustainability, rather than purely on fiscal revenues.
Higher Costs, Higher Barriers
One of the most immediate and tangible elements of the new Italian gambling licenses is the increase in licensing costs for betting activities.
According to the current framework:
- a package of 25 betting rights (i.e., the license to operate a betting shop) will cost € 1.5 million;
- the price per individual betting shop license will therefore be €60,000;
- there will be no distinction between betting shops and corners.
This is a significant increase compared to previous licensing rounds. From a legal standpoint, this is a neutral parameter. From a market standpoint, it is a decisive one.
Higher costs will likely result in:
- stronger barriers to entry;
- increased pressure on smaller operators;
- accelerated market consolidation.
In addition, the competitive bidding mechanism may further increase the actual cost of securing licenses.
Slot and VLT Licenses: Same Price, Different Reality
For AWP and VLT licenses, the structure of the tender remains broadly unchanged:
- € 25 million per lot;
- each lot includes:
- 4,000 slot licenses,
- 920 VLT licenses,
- 800 retail points;
- a 34% cap per operator, corresponding to a maximum of 17 lots.
On paper, this suggests continuity. In practice, however, the operating environment has evolved significantly.
Operators must now deal with:
- more stringent AML requirements;
- enhanced focus on responsible gambling obligations;
- increasing regulatory scrutiny;
- competition from online gambling platforms.
As a result, even without a formal increase in price, the overall cost of operating under these licenses has materially increased.
Bingo Hall Licenses: Expansion with Open Questions
The bingo sector presents a different dynamic.
The tender will provide according to the current information:
- approximately 210 bingo hall licenses to be auctioned;
- a base price of €350,000 per license;
- a number exceeding the current active bingo halls (around 180).
This points to a potential expansion of the sector. However, several questions remain:
- will demand support this increase in supply?
- can new entrants compete effectively with established operators?
- how will bingo adapt to a market increasingly driven by digital channels?
The success of this segment will largely depend on operators’ ability to innovate and integrate physical and digital offerings.
The Role of Local Authorities: The Real Constraint
A critical aspect of the success of the tender for new Italian gambling license is the continued influence of local authorities.
The involvement of the representatives from local municipalities highlights that regions and municipalities will remain central in determining:
- location restrictions;
- minimum distance requirements;
- operating hours.
This creates a structural tension:
- national licenses provide the legal basis to operate;
- local regulations determine whether that right can be exercised in practice.
From a legal perspective, this is one of the most complex and potentially contentious aspects of the reform.
Compliance as a Competitive Factor
Another key takeaway from the tender is that compliance is no longer just a regulatory obligation. It is becoming a competitive differentiator.
Operators that are able to effectively manage:
- AML compliance,
- data protection requirements,
- responsible gambling frameworks,
will be better positioned in a more selective and regulated market. Those that are not will struggle to remain competitive.
The question is no longer whether the market will change. It already is.
The real question is whether operators are ready to adapt to a system where scale, compliance, and strategic positioning are essential to remain in the game.
On a similar topic, you can read the article “Italy’s 2026 Gambling Licenses Tender: A Structural Reform of Land-Based Gaming“. Also, you can read about the different gambling regimes in almost 50 jurisdictions in the DLA Piper Gambling Laws of the World guide.