Italy’s gambling sector is set for continued fiscal oversight in 2027, with the Ministry of Economy and Finance (MEF) identifying stronger controls and improved tax-revenue recovery as priorities. The direction comes from the MEF’s Act of Guidance for the Definition of Political Priorities for 2027, signed by Economy and Finance Minister Giancarlo Giorgetti.
The document, covering the ministry’s work for 2027-2029, includes gambling within its taxation priorities. It calls for the financial administration to improve the effectiveness of controls and recover tax revenue more efficiently across gambling, customs and excise duties.
The guidance does not introduce a new gambling tax or announce higher rates. Instead, it establishes enforcement and revenue collection as areas requiring greater attention across the sector.
Fiscal Oversight Takes Greater Role
The gambling measures form part of a broader programme addressing Italy’s tax system. The MEF also highlights implementation of fiscal reform, simpler taxpayer obligations and stronger efforts against tax evasion, avoidance and fraud.
Data and technology will play a greater role in fiscal analysis, with the ministry also referring to risk assessment and cooperation among enforcement bodies. Within gambling, the Customs and Monopolies Agency (ADM) remains responsible for important elements of the regulated market, including concession arrangements and remote-gambling supervision.
The guidance itself remains a planning document. Changes involving gambling tax rates, concession conditions or operator compliance obligations would require separate legislative or regulatory action.
Online Reform Continues While Land-Based Rules Await Clarity
The 2027 priorities arrive as Italy continues implementing its online gambling overhaul. Legislative Decree No. 41 of 25 March 2024 reorganised remote gambling under the tax reform established through Law No. 111 of 2023.
ADM later conducted the procedure for new remote-gambling concessions under the decree and published its award decision in September 2025. The reform also established a register for Punti Vendita Ricariche (PVRs), which ADM formally created in October 2024. Technical and operational measures relating to remote gambling continue to be issued.
Land-based gambling faces a different situation. The 2023 tax delegation envisaged a wider reorganisation covering player protection, safeguards for minors, venue distribution, concessions, taxation and measures against illegal gambling.
The 2024 decree stated that physical gambling networks would be addressed through a later legislative decree following an agreement involving the state, regions and local authorities. That measure remained unfinished when the general 36-month delegation period ended in late August 2026.
The original delegation took effect on 29 August 2023, while an amendment in 2025 extended the period from 24 to 36 months. Consequently, online gambling is progressing through an established reform and concession framework while the future structure of land-based gambling remains unsettled.
For 2027, the MEF guidance points toward tighter fiscal scrutiny and stronger tax-revenue recovery. Its effect will depend on how these priorities translate into ADM enforcement activity, financial investigations and future legislation. Operators will therefore continue monitoring how the stated fiscal priorities develop into practical measures across the regulated market.
Source:
Italy targets gambling controls and tax recovery in 2027, sigma.world, September 16, 2026
