Lottomatica Lifts Italian Online Betting Share to 31.7% Ahead of CIRSA Merger Vote

Lottomatica has lifted its Italian online betting market share to 31.7% in Q3 2026. The gain accompanies 5% revenue growth and precedes a 30 November shareholder vote on the all-share merger with CIRSA.

As reported by SBC News, the figures underline a channel split in the domestic market. Online segments expanded while retail-facing units contracted under differing regulatory conditions.

Channel Split Drives Results

Online betting share reached 31.7%, up 0.9 percentage points. Online sports betting share climbed 2.1 points to 34.8% and iGaming share rose 0.6 points to 31.2%. Nine-month revenue rose 5% to €1.71bn, Q3 revenue hit €537m, and gross gaming revenue for January-September totalled €3.5bn, up 2%.

Online revenue grew 13% to €781m year-to-date. Sports betting franchise revenue fell 1% to €377m and gaming franchise revenue dropped 2% to €560m. Adjusted EBITDA increased 8% to €715m year-to-date and 3% to €200m in Q3. Net profit for the nine months rose to €155,327 from €98,284. Net financial debt stood at €2.16bn at end-September, up from €2.1bn.

A new online licensing framework that took effect in November supplied stability. Retail activity faces continued uncertainty after Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni removed land-based reorganisation from the 2027 budget. Guglielmo Angelozzi, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Lottomatica Group, said: "The third quarter of 2026 marks another strong quarter for Lottomatica, with double digit growth in Online and Sports volumes, and in Adjusted EBITDA normalised."

Scale Outlook After November Close

Intermonte and Banca Akros anticipate limited overall impact from the 2027 budget's marginal tax and concession adjustments, including a 1% rise on AWP machines. They project concession-related capital expenditure of €90m–€100m annually from 2027 to 2029, subject to parliamentary approval.

The CIRSA merger expands presence in Spain and Latin America. Completion will require the enlarged group to align elevated debt with new geographic revenue streams while Italian retail reform remains off the agenda. The 30 November vote supplies the next measurable milestone.