Italy proposes new licensing round for online operators
Latest proposals suggest a maximum of 50 nine-year licences at a minimum bid price of €2m
The Italian government has indicated there will be a new tender process for online operator licences before the end of 2020.
Article 92 of the country’s budget law draft, filed last week, proposes a new tender process before the end of next year for a maximum of 50 nine-year licences at a minimum bid price of €2m.
The new licences would be active from 2023 to 2031, but it remains to be seen how many operators would apply if the country’s gambling advertising ban is still in place.
The current window, which sees licences expires in 2022, allows for 85 licences, although only 67 have been granted and are active in the country.
If the tender process gets the green light, it will be overseen by Italy’s ADM customs and monopolies agency, the government department responsible for the regulation of the gambling industry.
Only operators from within the European Economic Area (EEA) will be considered.