Milestone digital gaming overhaul: ADM approves 46 companies to lead the next era of entertainment.

The Italian online gaming sector is poised for a defining transformation. The Customs and Monopolies Agency (ADM) has recently completed the preliminary round in awarding new licenses. A select group of just 46 operators has advanced to the subsequent stage, featuring prominent industry players like 888 Italy, Betfair Italy, Sisal, William Hill Malta and LeoVegas. This decisive action is strategic: by favoring entities with proven technological robustness and financial stability, the focus shifts toward cultivating a more secure, clear, and conscientious market. The directive is unambiguous: the trajectory of Italian gaming will be shaped by those capable of ensuring superior service and user safeguards.

A pressing schedule for transformation

The final countdown is underway. Existing authorizations will terminate on September 17, 2025, with a potential brief continuation available until the 30th of that month. Concurrently, ADM will finalize its technical and financial evaluation of the chosen firms by July. Candidates who successfully navigate this phase must promptly remit the initial concession installment—4 million—and demonstrate access to a minimum of 3.7 million in liquid capital. Agreements are scheduled for finalization in August and September, ensuring no interruption in service and the continuous, seamless operation of the gaming machines.

Technology at the center of the new era

The overhaul extends beyond paperwork: chosen operators must implement advanced digital frameworks that seamlessly connect with ADM’s protected platform. A six-month adjustment phase is set, aiming for full implementation by March 2026. During this interval, legacy and modern setups will run in parallel, ensuring uninterrupted service for users. Upon completion, firms are required to submit the second licensing payment—3 million euros—finalizing their formal participation in the newly regulated gaming landscape.

Enhanced player safeguards and more rigorous regulations

A central aspect of the reform involves the handling of player accounts. Individuals will have the option to move their accounts to a different licensed provider, following tax regulations and after obtaining necessary approval. Operators excluded from the new system must terminate all user accounts by August 17, 2025, reimbursing any remaining balances. Unclaimed funds after a sixty-day period will be transferred to the national treasury. Furthermore, operators must submit detailed weekly reports on account transactions and convert their legal structure to a S.p.A. prior to finalizing concession agreements. The objective remains unequivocal: fostering a more transparent, secure, and viable market, while continuing to prioritize responsible entertainment.