More On Italian Online Gambling Regulation

Published: Friday, September 29, 2006 Online-Casinos.com

MORE DETAIL ON ITALIAN ONLINE GAMBLING REGULATION (Update)

Open invitation to online gambling operators to apply for Italian government license

Further details have now emerged on the remarkable about-face regarding the regulation rather than prohibition of online gambling in Italy (see earlier Online-Casinos.com/InfoPowa reports)

Media reports indicate that the Italian government has invited tenders from private online gaming operators who wish to be considered for a betting licence giving them open access to the Italian market from 1 January 2007.

The Amministrazione Autonoma dei Monopoli di Stato (AAMS) will regulate all the companies operating "horseraces/sports-based public games through the activation of a distribution network", the documents advised. Licences will relate to sports betting and "remote skill games and such further public games either horseraces-based or of other nature."

Legal experts told the media that the AAMS has published a list of areas which will be opened up to private operators. It has been called a "mini-liberalisation" of some significance because traditionally Italy has been conservative in its approach to gambling regulations.

Deadline for tender applications is 6:00PM ECT on 20 October 2006. Although the Italian legislation relates mainly to sports betting at the moment, a regulatory framework for online poker and casino operations could be introduced, too.