Italy is exploring avenues to enhance its gambling sector, potentially adding between €400 million and €500 million to the 2027 state budget. Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni has tasked the Ministry of Economy and Finance (MEF) with assessing strategies that could yield additional revenue for this budget.
At this stage, no proposals have been included in the draft of the budget bill. The primary option under consideration is an extension of the concession period for retail gambling, which is projected to contribute between €200 million and €250 million annually to state finances. Currently, the concession fees stand at €120 for each amusement-with-prizes machine, €4,000 for every video lottery terminal, and €9,500 for a betting agency license.
This extension would not only provide the government with extra time to strategize the modernization of Italy's gambling sector but also aims to address the ongoing negotiations between the government and the Conference of Regions and Autonomous Provinces, which have not yet produced a consensus. Notably, the three-year mandate set by the Tax Delegation Law lapsed on August 29.
Certain reports suggest that the lack of new concessions has resulted in a financial shortfall of approximately €1.5 billion for the government.
