Italy targets €700 million from gambling in 2027 budget
Italy’s government has confirmed plans to raise €700 million from the gambling industry as part of its proposed 2027 national budget, adding further financial pressure on licensed operators.
Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni confirmed the figure following a Cabinet meeting on October 28, when ministers approved a €26 billion budget package.
The proposed measures include higher contributions from banks, insurers, energy companies and the gambling industry.
Meloni confirmed that the Italian gaming sector would contribute an additional €700 million, although the government has not yet published the specific taxation measures required to generate the revenue.
“At a difficult time, we have asked those facing fewer difficulties to lend a hand,” Meloni said.
Italian media have reported that possible changes include higher taxation on gaming machines and increased fees associated with extending existing gambling concessions.
However, those proposals have not been confirmed in the published government announcement.
The development comes as several Italian land-based gambling concessions approach their December 31 expiry date.
Italy has also recently introduced a revised licensing framework for online gambling, requiring operators to obtain individual concessions for their brands.
This has lead to growing unrest among Italy’s gambling operators, with Flutter Entertainment announcing their betting exchange Betfair would leave the market imminently, although other brands would remain.
The government’s budget proposal must still pass through Parliament, where lawmakers can amend the measures before their expected implementation in 2027.
The precise financial impact on online casinos, betting sites and land-based operators will depend on the final legislation.
