Italy Considers Retail Concession Extensions and Lottery Measures to Raise €400m-€500m for 2027 Budget

Italy’s government is considering new measures to raise additional revenue from the gambling sector ahead of the 2027 budget. Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni has directed the Ministry of Economy and Finance to explore options that could yield €400m–€500m, as land-based gambling reforms have been dropped from the legislative agenda after negotiations with regional authorities collapsed. This comes with the mandate under the Tax Delegation Law having expired on August 29 without agreement on the future shape of the retail network.

Options to Extend Concessions and Launch Tenders

The largest potential contributor is a three-year extension of retail gambling concessions, currently due to expire at the end of 2026. Pushing this to the end of 2029 could generate €200m to €250m annually for the Treasury. The failure to launch new tenders has already cost the state an estimated €1.5bn in anticipated proceeds, according to reporting by Focus Gaming News.

The extension would provide time to test new machine requirements, reopen discussions with local authorities and prepare long-term tenders. Current fees paid by concessionaires include €120 per year for each amusement-with-prizes machine, €4,000 for each video lottery terminal, €9,500 per betting agency, €5,700 per betting corner and €2,800 per bingo hall each month.

MEF is also expected to table the next scratch-card concession, currently held by Brightstar Lottery until September 2028, with a starting price of around €1bn. Scratch cards generate close to €500m annually from a six per cent premium on approximately €8bn in sales, though tender instalments are unlikely before 2028. Other ideas include a digital lotto levy estimated to raise €15m and an extra Lotto and SuperEnalotto draw expected to generate €50m annually.

The Revenue Timing Challenge

All measures remain provisional and subject to amendment before the Budget Law is presented in October 2026. The strategy secures near-term licensing income while deferring the full reorganisation of betting shops, gaming halls and machines. Operators face continued operation under the existing fee structure but with the €1.5bn shortfall from untendered concessions highlighting the cumulative cost of delay. Regulators and investors should track which proposals survive the final drafting process, as the outcome will determine both immediate fiscal yield and the timeline for any substantive retail reform.

Reporting: Focus Gaming News

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