Italy's online gambling industry is estimated to generate revenues of €2.89 billion showing a stable growth pattern in that industry according to Statista. Italy's online gaming industry has an estimated growth rate of 5.52 percent along with a projection to reach €3.78 billion by the end of the forecast period. This growth comprises an expected revenue of €1.54 billion merely from the online casino part.

The number of users is forecasted to approximate 4.3 million by 2029, with user penetration estimated at about 6 percent. Such statistics highlight growing user engagement with online gambling platforms and among Italian consumers in particular.

Factors fuelling the growth of online gambling 

There are certain aspects acknowledged by analysts contributing to the fast expansion of the Italian online gambling market. One major contributing factor includes accessibility and ease of use offered by online platforms. Italian players are opting for online gambling as it offers comparatively more convenience than a land-based casino where one has to dress in a proper way and follow certain rituals, now revealing his selection while gambling by placing bets or playing casino games from home or on mobile devices. This behavior in shifting consumer attitudes has been supported by a broad spectrum of betting options that would cater to different sets of preferences.

The most prominent trend in the Italian market includes the increasing interest in sports betting in most desirable leisure-time athletes, primarily football. Football's unwavering tradition and God's own belief unite to support a wider range of sports betting opportunities appetible to the Italians. Online platforms have taken advantage of this trend with a wide variety of opportunities in sports betting, from live betting to virtual sports, which should be chosen from a wide variety of options. The growth of this market has seen further demand generated by the catch of slot machines, blackjack, roulette, and many more traditional casino games. The introduction of live dealer games has made the casino more attractive, allowing players to play and interact with dealers in real-time by way of video stream.

A well-regulated environment is advantageous to the Italian market, playing a key role in its growth. Strict licencing requirements and regulations assured through State control are designed to secure integrity and fairness in all online gambling. The system thus provides the consumers' trust and lures renowned international gambling operators.

Impending changes to licencing framework 

While still expanding its market, Italy is drafting a newly-revised licensing framework for online gambling. The new framework is now subject to review by the European Commission (EC) as per the legislative procedure entails followed by the European Union. A three-month “standstill”-period discussion is envisaged, which will last up to October 18, a timeframe where EU member states and various other stakeholders can express their comments pertaining to the regulations proposed.

The Italian government will then launch into a new tender process for remote gambling licences immediately after the standstill period is reached, which will probably start by late December or early January. If enacted, the new regulations will introduce a licensing fee of €7 million for each remote gambling licence, which will be valid for nine years. The technical rules will specify performance standards and technical requirements that operators will also need to meet in order to provide remote gambling services.

The amended regulations will have a greater emphasis on consumer protection, introducing mandatory self-exclusion tools and options for users to limit their gambling activities. In addition, all gambling platforms will have their IT infrastructure, including cloud-based solutions, located within the European Economic Area (EEA) to come under EU data protection standards. The new rules will bar topical sites, also known as “skins,” and will permit distinct applications for various sorts of gambling, such as betting, casino games, poker, and bingo.

This update marks the conclusion of the first phase of the Gambling Reorganisation Decree, which in effect is the first overall review of the laws of gambling in Italy since the legalisation of online gambling. The later phases of the Decree will address the reforming of the regulations for all land-based gambling operations across Italy's regions and municipalities. Casino1.it it's very popular site for gambling and betting.