Pioneering digital entertainment transformation: ADM designates 46 providers to shape the industry's next chapter.

The Italian digital gaming sector stands on the verge of a significant transformation. The Customs and Monopolies Agency (ADM) has completed the initial screening round for granting new licenses. A select group of just 46 operators has received approval to proceed, featuring prominent brands like 888 Italy, Betfair Italy, Sisal, William Hill Malta and LeoVegas. This decision is deliberate: by prioritizing operators with proven technological robustness and financial stability, the focus shifts toward cultivating a more secure, accountable, and clear-cut marketplace. The directive is evident: the evolution of gaming in Italy will be driven by those capable of ensuring superior standards and user safeguards.

A demanding schedule for transformation

The clock is already ticking. Existing licenses are set to lapse on September 17, 2025, potentially with a brief grace period extending to the 30th of that month. In the interim, ADM will finalize its technical and financial assessment of the qualifying firms by July. Successful applicants must promptly remit the initial concession installment—4 million—and demonstrate they hold a minimum of 3.7 million in liquid capital. Agreements will be formalized in August and September to ensure seamless continuity, maintaining uninterrupted operation of the gaming terminals.

Technology at the center of the new era

The modernization goes beyond paperwork: designated operators will be required to implement advanced digital systems connected to ADM’s secure platform. A six-month transition phase is set, aiming for a complete rollout by March 2026. During this interval, legacy and updated systems will operate in parallel, ensuring uninterrupted service for users. Upon completion, the firms must submit the second licensing payment – 3 million euros – finalizing their formal admission into the new age of regulated gaming.

Enhanced player safeguards and reinforced regulatory standards

A central aspect of the reform focuses on the handling of gaming accounts. Players will have the option to migrate their accounts to a different licensed provider, following tax regulations and after obtaining necessary approval. Operators that are excluded must shut down all user accounts by August 17, 2025, and reimburse customer balances. Any unclaimed funds after a two-month period will be transferred to the State Treasury. Furthermore, submitting weekly reports on account transactions will become compulsory, and firms are required to convert into S.p.A. entities before securing operating concessions. The objective is evident: to foster a more transparent, secure, and sustainable market, while continuing to prioritize responsible gaming.