Italy’s Retail Gambling Industry Seeks Interim Support as Concessions Near Expiry

Retail gambling operators in Italy have asked the government for urgent interim measures and immediate tender planning after a reform decree was shelved and current concessions were left to expire at the end of the year. Concessions covering betting, bingo, Amusement With Prizes (AWPs) and Video Lottery Terminals (VLTs) are due to expire on 31 December 2026, while the draft retail reform missed the government's 29 August deadline.

Industry demands and proposed interim measures

Associazione Gestori Scommesse Italia (AGSI), which represents betting shops, has urged Rome to introduce temporary support measures for gaming machines, horse racing and sports betting until new concession tenders are launched. AGSI president Pasquale Chiacchio told the trade publication Jamma:

"Gaming machines, horse racing and betting cannot wait three years." — Pasquale Chiacchio, AGSI president

AGSI wants the transition period used to increase retail outlets' competitiveness by allowing additional products to be sold through betting agencies and authorised venues. The association cited the 1998–1999 pilot programme that introduced sports betting into horse racing agencies as an example of targeted retail innovation.

Call for a government–industry consultation forum

The association is pressing for the immediate creation of a consultation forum bringing together government representatives, public institutions and industry stakeholders to begin drafting tender requirements. AGSI says the future framework should enable small and medium-sized operators to compete alongside larger groups and favour a more balanced national retail network staffed by trained employees, pointing to Campania’s regional legislation as a potential model.

Legal timetable and market context

The decree intended to reorganise the retail sector and set the framework for new tenders was shelved after missing the 29 August deadline, leaving an expectation of another extension of current arrangements. Retail gambling still represents roughly three-quarters of Italy’s gambling market, which the industry values at more than €21bn. Meanwhile, the online sector is already operating under a new concession framework, with further rules due to come into force on 13 November.

The industry says the delay has left retail operators facing continued uncertainty ahead of the concessions' expiry on 31 December 2026 and that temporary support is necessary to keep land-based businesses viable until tenders are launched. Stakeholders also want tender planning to begin now through a government–industry consultation forum so technical requirements can be drafted without further delay. For ongoing coverage of regulatory developments see regulation and for market analysis see news.