Italian authorities have taken motion in opposition to unlawful playing operations in Sicily after uncovering two unlicensed betting assortment centres throughout a coordinated inspection throughout the province of Agrigento. The operation resulted in administrative penalties price greater than €20,000 ($22,796), the seizure of gaming gear, and a legal referral linked to one of many companies beneath investigation.
The inspections shaped a part of a joint effort involving Italy’s customs and playing regulator Agenzia delle Dogane e dei Monopoli (ADM) and the Guardia di Finanza (GdF). Officials carried out checks at 14 betting retailers and gaming halls positioned in Agrigento, Favara, Raffadali, Palma di Montechiaro, Campobello di Licata, Ribera, and the Pelagie Islands.
Inspectors Uncover Unlicensed Betting Operations
During the inspections, authorities recognized two companies that had been working as unauthorized betting assortment centres.
One of the places, located in Porto Empedocle, contained two pc terminals that had not been related to Italy’s nationwide gaming assortment community. Investigators additionally discovered that the gadgets have been lacking the identification codes required beneath the nation’s playing laws.
According to officers, the dearth of connection to the nationwide system allowed the terminals to keep away from the necessary counters used to report wagers and gaming exercise. As a consequence, the gear might doubtlessly bypass cost of the one nationwide gaming levy (PREU), which is calculated based mostly on recorded turnover from gaming machines.
Authorities seized the terminals as a part of the investigation. The proprietor of the Porto Empedocle enterprise has additionally been reported to the general public prosecutor in Agrigento on suspicion of working unlawful betting actions.
Tax Proposals Add to Gambling Policy Debate
The enforcement motion comes at a time when Italy can also be contemplating adjustments to playing taxation.
Earlier this month, a invoice launched within the Italian Senate proposed a brand new 2% levy on each home soccer guess positioned within the nation. The proposal goals to create a devoted funding supply for Italy’s soccer system.
If authorized, the tax would apply to soccer bets positioned each on-line and in retail betting retailers. It would cowl matches organized by the Italian Football Federation along with affiliated skilled and beginner competitions. Under the proposal, the levy would quantity to 2% of the stake positioned on every qualifying soccer wager.
Industry Concerns Over Gambling Reform Delays
The newest enforcement measures additionally arrive whereas Italy’s regulated playing sector continues to face uncertainty over long-delayed reforms.
During a Senate listening to held final month, EGP-FIPE, which represents playing operators inside the Italian Federation of Public Establishments beneath Confcommercio, argued that repeated extensions of nationwide playing concessions have slowed progress throughout the authorized market.
The group mentioned the absence of a broader nationwide reform plan has successfully left the sector at a standstill. It additionally warned that the state of affairs has affected community planning whereas decreasing the effectiveness of safeguards designed to handle drawback playing.
Much of the dialogue centered on land-based playing venues. EGP-FIPE president Emmanuele Cangianelli mentioned: “The evidence is that where the physical offer is rigidly restricted, the problem is not reduced, but moved. Play heads online or to the underground market, where control is nil. This makes territorial instruments little effective with respect to the declared objective and introduces heavy distortions in terms of legality and the sustainability of the authorised network.”
Investigation stays lively
Officials from ADM and the Guardia di Finanza mentioned the investigation has not concluded and that additional enforcement work will proceed. Their said priorities embrace defending customers, particularly minors and different weak teams, whereas limiting legal involvement within the playing trade.
Authorities additionally reiterated that each particular person reported through the investigation stays entitled to the presumption of innocence till any allegations are examined and determined by way of the judicial course of.
Source:
Italian authorities shut down illegal betting centres, imposing fines over €20,000, igamingbusiness.com, July 27, 2026.
