Italy’s Customs and Monopolies Agency (ADM) has confirmed that sports betting concessions will be extended until the 31st October

Companies that were about to have their betting licences expire at the end of June breathe a sigh of relief. The Ministry of Economy conducted an in-depth assessment which led to the authorisation of the abovementioned concessions. This will extend decisions made by the formerGiuseppe Conte government.

The ADM confirmed that betting shops and bingo halls will keep their concessions for a further 90 days, after the Cura Decree expires on the 31st July. 10,000 brick and mortar shops are having their concessions reviewed by the ADM. They may delay the launch of its new tender for online gambling licence renewals due to a tight schedule.

Italy’s Budget Law had stated that the tender be launched by the end of June 2021, to secure Italian gambling its licensed operators from 2023 onwards. Somewhat controversially, a draft measure within the tender is looking to half the current 82 licensed concessions to 40. The European Gaming & Betting Association (EGBA) has been in contact with the European Commission to have questions answered on why this is happening.

Why the halving?

The EGBA has called for the ADM to rationalise and disclose their plans to reduce the licensee field in order to be compliant with European business laws and fair competition standards.

Claudio Durigon, Italy’s treasury Undersecretary said that the government is evaluating how the pandemic has impacted?the foundations of the gambling sector.

“Italian budget law had provided for the award of only 40 licenses with a minimum bidding price of €2.5mln, even if currently there are 82 operational concessionaires. In the previous tender, the number of awarded licenses was much higher (120) and the price for the license was €200,000 for a 4-year license.”

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