PARTNER EDITORIAL
For online gaming, in particular, there are three fees in place which future online gaming concessionaires will face and the amounts included in the Decree have been increased significantly. The ‘one-off concession fee’ goes up from the previous €250,000 to €7 million (an increase of 2,800 percent); there is an ‘annual fee’ equivalent to three percent of the Gross Gaming Revenue (GGR) (double that of previous years); and an ‘annual fee’ equal to 0.2 percent of concessionaires’ GGR which is dedicated to investments in information and communication campaigns to prevent and treat gaming addiction. The Decree also puts an end to the use of cash for online games. In fact, those who wish to top up their gaming accounts in retail locations with amounts above €100 in cash will be obliged to use traceable and secure electronic payment tools. This is considered an important measure in the fight against money laundering which the current
ecosystem will be regulated with more modern and exacting principles. The Legislative Decree focuses essentially on new and more rigorous standards of legality, responsibility and transparency. It then regulates the new online gaming concession framework, directly managed by the Italian gaming regulator, ADM, the Italian Customs and Monopolies Agency. The Decree includes provisions regarding the maximum duration of an online gaming concession, set at nine years. The cost of a license is set at €7 million, and the specific requirements and conditions interested parties participating in the public tender must comply with are also defined. As well as online gaming, the Decree contains new provisions over public tenders for the Lotto (expiring in November 2025) which will see it go from an auction base of €700 million to €1 billion, and Scratch and Win (expiring in September 2028).
LUDOVICO CALVI Honorary President, United Lotteries for Integrity in Sport (ULIS)
He may be contacted at ludovico.calvi@ulis.org
Draft decree will be on the agenda at the Italian Gaming Expo & Conference
the commitment of all stakeholders and resilience of the gaming industry in times of challenge and opportunity. Attendees will be able to connect with peers, explore potential partnerships and gain insights from thought-leaders through a range of networking events, workshops and seminars. From financial institutions seeking investment opportunities to established companies scouting for innovation partners, the event will be a platform for meaningful connections and collective progress within the Italian gaming ecosystem. IGE will look at the future of the gaming industry in Italy and beyond: a future, which must be fully sustainable. This is indeed the challenge for all stakeholders in the process of reforming the gaming sector. Italy is home to many of the most innovative companies in the industry and a great number of these will be showcased at the Expo making it the ideal meeting place for all those with a stake in the future of Italian gaming. For full details and registration see our advert on pXXX or visit www.italiangamingexpo.com
The Italian Gaming Expo & Conference, IGE, is a highly anticipated event. The Italian Gaming market is one of the most prominent, but the industry has never had the opportunity to come together, discuss the evolving regulatory landscape and exchange views and information on best practices. IGE will bring together the Italian gaming regulator with top decision-makers and experts in the market. They will share their views on the evolving regulatory framework, key success factors for Italian operations and innovations in the development of gaming products and services, as well as anticipating a new era for the regulated digital and retail gaming market.. Given a heightened focus on responsible gambling, industry stakeholders will also address issues of transparency, fairness, and player protection in a changing marketplace. Compliance solutions and technologies aimed at addressing regulatory requirements and mitigating risks will be showcased, underscoring the industry’s commitment to upholding integrity and ethical standards. The presence of prominent regulatory bodies including the Italian gaming regulator ADM is confirmed as a testament to
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IMGL MAGAZINE | APRIL 2024
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