Italy Drops Retail Gambling Reorganisation Decree from 2026 Agenda

Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni has removed the Reorganisation Decree for land-based gambling from Italy’s remaining political agenda for 2026. The measure was omitted from the Council of Ministers’ listed policy plans, with the government instead directing the Ministry of Economy and Finance to concentrate on settling the 2027 Budget and advancing fiscal reforms.

This step follows Meloni’s refusal to sign off on the decree for Budget 2027 inclusion. It brings to a close nearly two years of negotiations among the state, autonomous regions and municipalities over licensing approvals, venue distances, opening hours and conditions for betting shops, gaming halls and bingo venues. The decree had sought uniform governance under the ADM, Italy’s Customs and Monopolies Agency, to replace the fragmented local rules that spawned years of litigation.

Government sources indicated Meloni was dissatisfied that the proposed settlement left substantial authority in regional and municipal hands. Italian courts had pressed for resolution of the licensing disputes. As a result, the MEF and ADM will enforce existing retail betting, gaming machine and bingo concessions for a further 12 months while a longer-term fix remains pending.

Revenue Declines Underscore Retail Strain

Latest MEF figures for the first six months of 2026 show total gaming tax revenues at €3.64bn, down 6.3% year-on-year. Indirect tax receipts from lotteries and other gaming fell 8.4% to €3.07bn. Gaming machines, the largest contributor, produced €2.47bn in tax, a 7.3% drop from the prior year. These results, as reported by SBC News, heighten worries over the sector’s sustainability while operators function under temporary concessions rather than a modernised framework.

Industry reaction has been one of frustration. Speaking to investors this week, Guglielmo Angelozzi, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Lottomatica, said he had expected the delay. “Whether you have an agreement or not, basically nothing changes. The outcome is exactly the same in the next two to three years,” he said. Attention now shifts to the 2027 Budget, where another extension of existing concessions looks probable. With fiscal consolidation taking precedence ahead of the next electoral cycle, there is scant sign that Meloni’s government will revisit the politically sensitive gambling file next year.

What This Delay Means for Sector Governance

The decision defers structural clarity on licensing and leaves the current patchwork of local restrictions intact for at least another year. Operators and their advisers must therefore continue to manage inconsistent regional rules and the associated legal exposure. Any path to consolidation or fresh investment in retail remains clouded until the government elects to reopen the file.

Reporting: SBC News