Italian authorities have taken significant action against illegal gambling, shutting down two unlicensed betting collection centres in Agrigento and imposing fines totaling more than €20,000 (approximately $22,796). This operation, coordinated by the Italian customs and gambling regulator (ADM) and the Guardia di Finanza (GdF), was announced on Friday.
Officials from the ADM’s Sicily 6 office in Porto Empedocle and the GdF conducted inspections at 14 betting shops and gaming venues across various towns, including Agrigento, Favara, Raffadali, Palma di Montechiaro, Campobello di Licata, Ribera, and the Pelagie Islands.
During their investigation, inspectors found two locations operating as unauthorized betting centres. At one site in Porto Empedocle, authorities confiscated two computer terminals that were disconnected from the national gaming collection network and did not possess the necessary identification codes. This disconnection raised concerns that these terminals were circumventing the mandated recording of stakes and plays, potentially allowing the operators to avoid paying the single national gaming levy (PREU) associated with reported turnover on gaming devices.
The operation resulted in criminal referrals, with the owner of the premises in Porto Empedocle being reported to the Agrigento public prosecutor for suspected illegal betting activities.
In addition to the ongoing enforcement, a recent bill presented to the Italian Senate aims to introduce a 2% levy on all domestic football bets placed within Italy. This levy would fund Italy's football system and affect bets made at physical betting establishments and online, applying to matches organized by the Italian Football Federation and its associated leagues.
These enforcement actions are taking place amid a regulatory stalemate affecting Italy's gambling market. EGP-FIPE, the organization representing operators within Confcommercio, highlighted at a recent Senate hearing that the legal gambling market has been stagnated due to repeated extensions of national gambling concessions. They pointed out that the absence of a coordinated national reform framework has left the sector effectively “frozen,” complicating planning and hindering protections against problem gambling.
Emmanuele Cangianelli, president of EGP-FIPE, stated, “Evidence shows that where physical gambling options are tightly restricted, the problem is not reduced but merely shifted. Gambling instead migrates online or to underground markets, where there is no oversight. This makes local regulations less effective and introduces significant legality and sustainability issues within the authorized network.”
The ADM and the GdF have confirmed that their investigation continues, emphasizing their commitment to consumer protection, particularly for minors and vulnerable populations, while striving to mitigate criminal activity within the gambling sector. Authorities have also reiterated the presumption of innocence for those reported until judicial processes reach conclusions.
