Groundbreaking digital gaming transformation: ADM appoints 46 providers to shape the sector's next era.

The Italian online gaming sector stands at a pivotal juncture. The Customs and Monopolies Agency (ADM) has recently completed the initial evaluation round for granting new licenses. Merely 46 operators have advanced to the subsequent stage, featuring prominent entities like 888 Italy, Betfair Italy, Sisal, William Hill Malta and LeoVegas. This deliberate selection underscores a strategic vision: by prioritizing operators with proven technological robustness and financial stability, the authorities are shaping a more secure, clear, and conscientious marketplace. The directive is unequivocal: the evolution of gaming in Italy will favor those capable of ensuring superior standards and user safeguards.

A rapid schedule driving transformation

The clock is already ticking. Existing authorizations are set to lapse on September 17, 2025, with a potential short-term continuation through the 30th of that month. In the interim, ADM will finalize the operational and economic assessment of the chosen firms by July. Applicants clearing this phase must promptly submit the initial installment of the concession payment—4 million—and demonstrate they possess no less than 3.7 million in liquid assets. Agreements will be finalized in August and September to prevent any interruption in services, ensuring the gaming equipment continues to operate without a hitch.

Technology at the center of the new era

The transformation extends beyond paperwork: chosen operators will need to deploy cutting-edge digital platforms that connect seamlessly with ADM’s secure network. A six-month transition phase is planned, aiming for full implementation by March 2026. During this time, legacy and updated systems will run in parallel, ensuring uninterrupted service for users. Upon completion, each firm must submit the second licensing payment—3 million euros—finalizing its formal participation in the modern, regulated gaming landscape.

Enhanced player safeguards and reinforced regulatory standards

A central element of the regulatory overhaul involves the handling of player accounts. Participants will gain the ability to migrate their accounts to a different licensed provider, adhering to fiscal regulations and securing necessary approval beforehand. Operators excluded from the new framework 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 State Treasury. Furthermore, submitting regular weekly reports on account transactions will become compulsory, and firms are required to convert to a public limited company (S.p.A.) structure prior to finalizing concession agreements. The objective is unequivocal: fostering a more transparent, secure, and viable market, while continually promoting conscientious entertainment.