ADM Advances Online Gambling Reform With First 46 License Approvals

Italy’s regulatory authority for gambling, the Agenzia delle Dogane e dei Monopoli (ADM), has taken a major step forward in its ongoing effort to reshape the nation’s digital gambling sector. A total of 46 operators have successfully passed the initial stage of the updated remote gambling licensing process. This milestone signals the start of a broader transformation aimed at improving technical integrity, compliance enforcement, and market transparency.

Licensing Overhaul Enters Second Stage

Now that the initial selection is complete, those 46 companies must meet a series of obligations by specific dates to proceed. By August 6, 2025, operators must provide ADM with full documentation, deliver a €4 million first installment of the new license fee, and submit a financial guarantee to cover liabilities. Final agreements must be signed no later than August 31, marking the formal transition into the restructured licensing regime.

Existing license holders will then move immediately into the new system and pay a second €3 million fee, unless ADM grants an exemption. Current licenses are set to expire on September 17, though regulators have left open the possibility of a brief extension through September 30 to facilitate a seamless migration.

ADM has compressed the timeline intentionally to reduce disruption for consumers and ensure continuity in services while reinforcing legal, technical, and fiscal obligations.

Technical Implementation and Player Transfers

At the heart of the reform lies a complex technological transition. Each licensed operator is required to integrate its systems with ADM’s centralized infrastructure for remote gaming. This process is slated to be fully completed by March 2026, during which time both old and new systems will run in parallel.

One major operational hurdle is account migration. ADM will allow for the voluntary transfer of player accounts and balances to newly licensed entities, but only with the user’s express consent and fulfillment of tax responsibilities. The approach is designed to safeguard player funds and ensure continuity in service.

Operators that are not renewing their licenses must cease activity by August 17, 2025, and notify customers of their exit. Accounts must be shut down by September 17, and all balances refunded. Any unclaimed funds after two months will be directed to the state. Starting July 8, these outgoing companies must also begin submitting weekly reports to ADM on bank balances and player transactions. Failure to comply will result in the immediate suspension of operations.

Legal Adjustments and Oversight Mechanisms

Firms operating under temporary consortia (RTIs) will need to convert into limited liability companies to qualify for the new contracts. ADM requires full disclosure and justification for any internal structural changes as part of the contract negotiation process.

After the old licenses expire, ADM will conduct a final audit, checking compliance with tax laws, proper handling of player funds, and account closures. The financial guarantees lodged by operators will be held until ADM confirms that all exit duties have been fulfilled. If issues arise, ADM retains the right to use those guarantees or demand further restitution.

Future Access and Partnership Models

Companies that missed this licensing cycle are currently locked out of the Italian market for the near future. With the new licenses valid for nine years, no additional licensing tenders are expected in the short term.

Nevertheless, ADM’s framework does provide a mechanism for license transfers, allowing approved operators to sell their licenses to other entities, pending ADM approval. This offers a potential route for late entrants to gain access to the Italian market through acquisition.

The reform also introduces partnership opportunities for operators withdrawing from the market. They may strike affiliate agreements with approved license holders, particularly involving migrated customer accounts. These partnerships are typically based on revenue-sharing models and can allow existing operators to retain a portion of their commercial influence.

To support this structure, ADM has formalized the automatic account transfer process through a circular. This enables balances from non-renewing operators to be moved to licensed successors without requiring players to register again, thereby reducing friction and preserving value for all parties involved.

Source: Italy Pushes Forward With Major Online Gambling Reform, LCB.org, July 10, 2025