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Italy Gambling Sites and Laws

Gambling sites in Italy, like French gambling sites, are highly regulated since the introduction of online gambling. However, the standout thing about Italy gambling sites and laws is; the state controls all gambling activities through the Amministrazione Autonoma dei Monopoli di Stato – Autonomous Administration of State Monopolies (AAMS), which issues licenses and regulate other gambling matters. 

Many people wonder: is online gambling legal in Italy? Simply put, it is legal to bet online in Italy since 2011. The licensing authority – AAMS granted over 160 licenses to online betting operators. So it’s possible to play games of chance whether you want to gamble, bet or partake in lotteries. This guide looks at the Italy betting sites and bookmakers, gambling regulation, and the available betting options in Italy. But first, the history of gambling in Italy.

Summary of the article

Top 10 Gambling Sites for Italy in 21 November 2024 – Updated List

Rank
Bookmaker
Bonus
Safe & Trusted
Rating
Get Started
1

Goldenbet Sports

100% up to 500 €/$/£
Yes
Rating 9.95 out of 10
See moreGet bonus
2

Megapari

Welcome package up to 1500 EUR + 150 FS
Yes
Rating 9.93 out of 10
See moreGet bonus
3

22Bet Sports

100% bonus up to €300
Yes
Rating 9.80 out of 10
See moreGet bonus
4

SpinBetter

Welcome package up to 1500 EUR + 150 FS
Yes
Rating 9.43 out of 10
See moreGet bonus
5

Vave

100% up to 1BTC
Yes
Rating 9.18 out of 10
See moreGet bonus
6

Casinoly

Welcome Package 100% Up to 500 EUR + 200 FS
Yes
Rating 9.02 out of 10
See moreGet bonus
7

Cryptoleo

100% Up to 5000 USDT/EUR
Yes
Rating 8.89 out of 10
See moreGet bonus
8

FreshBet Sports

100% up to 1500 $/€/£
Yes
Rating 8.37 out of 10
See moreGet bonus
9

MyStake Sports

100% Up to €1000
Yes
Rating 8.12 out of 10
See moreGet bonus
10

ExciteWin Sports

100% up to €500 + 200 FS
Yes
Rating 7.61 out of 10
See moreGet bonus

History of Italy gambling sites

Italy has one of the most interesting and storied histories of any nation. From the pre-Roman Republic day up to the modern day, this country has been a center of culture, architecture, and science. It is widely believed that the first casino, “Ridotto” was opened in 1638 in Venice. It was technically open to the public, but the high stakes and formal dress code made it hard for less affluent individuals to gain entry. Ridotto was officially closed in 1774. Since then, there have been many changes in governments, influences, and gambling laws. The latest changes to Italian gambling laws occurred in 2011 when online betting sites were legalized.

However, liberalization began in 2006. After the European Union received complaints in 2003 about Italy’s infringement, an infringement case began against Italy. Ideally, laws in Italy were very stringent to the extent of prohibiting even legitimate European betting sites from offering online services in Italy. Only two bodies were allowed to arrange sports – the National Horse Breeders Enhancement Society (UNIRE) and the Italian National Olympic Committee (CONI). Italians were not permitted to use any other gambling sites as these operators were blocked. 

As of November 2006, there were 621 sites on the Italian blocklist, although other European countries licensed these sites. Italy didn’t notify the EU about this list; thus, violating the EU Directive 98/34/EC. After the initiation of the proceedings by the EU, Italy amended its gambling laws – and the law came into power in March 2010. Foreign gambling operators can now offer online real-money sports betting games. But all gambling is regulated, and operators need to acquire a gambling license.

All betting, including internet wagering, are regulated by the Agenzia delle dogane e Dei Monopoli, or the ADM for short. The ADM recently replaced the Amministrazione Autonoma dei Monopoli di Stato or AAMS for short. The licenses cover various games, including online poker, video poker, bingo, horse-racing pools, etc. The updating of the Italian gambling laws has allowed internet gambling companies to tap into this lucrative market. With over 60 million, Italy is the third-largest population in the EU, and many of these people participate in gambling. Italians now have several online options to complement the 18 brick-and-mortar casinos that currently exist here.

Italy gambling sites laws and regulations

Italy gambling sites laws and regulations are currently pretty straightforward, but bettors need to know the extent to which they can go with their betting activities. Typically, the introduction of internet gambling in 2011 and the creation of the ADM tightened the regulation of the Italian gambling market. The 2019 legislation led to significant changes in gambling in Italy. Apart from allowing online gambling, it imposed a ban on online gaming adverts, offers information to reduce gambling addiction, etc.  By 2020, there was a significant increase in tournament versions of poker, poker in cash mode, and online casinos, poker being of main interest regarding receiving betting bonuses at gambling companies in Iceland.

International gambling companies that want to set up shop in Italy must go through a very thorough licensing process in which all aspects of the operation, including personnel and financial posture, are closely scrutinized. Licensed operators are also subject to routine inspections and audits to ensure that regulations are strictly adhered to. That means operators are licensed and regulated. There are 18 casinos open for business and several gambling operators in Italy. If you are wondering how old you have to be to bet online, the legal betting sites and age in Italy is 18, just as in many other gambling allowing countries, such as Cyprus, and age limits are strictly enforced at both land-based operations and online.

What are the Best Gambling Sites and promotions for Italy?

Since all forms of online gambling are legal in Italy are legal, gamblers can practice betting activities without fear. With a growing number of online operators getting licensed in Italy, residents have more and more options to choose from. The biggest and most reputable brands in online gambling have entered the Italian gambling market, and they are luring and retaining customers by offering different payment options, such as crypto betting and also betting bonuses.

If you plan to get your feet wet in the online gaming world, 5 Dimes will give you $50 worth of casino bonuses. Intertops and Betrally have $100 in bonuses waiting to be claimed, and €100 in extras are easy to get your hands on at BetWorld, Casino King, SLbet and Crowncas. Many Italians are getting in on the €200 casino bonuses that William Hill is giving away. Poker is one of the most popular forms of gambling in Italy, and there is a wide variety of poker bonuses that Italian poker players can easily claim. Most casinos in Italy offer attractive poker tournaments regularly to punters.  Online poker is regulated by ADM Decree laws that carters to online games of skill and chance. Bwin, Bet1128, and TonyBet are adding €500 to your chip stack, while SportsBetting and WhiteBet raise the pot with their $2,000 in poker bonuses for Italian poker players.

Remember, many sites are in operation in Italy, and you can choose bookmakers by country. However, you need to register only on legit sites. How do you know a site is legit? There are various ways to employ to see the legitimacy of a betting site. Start by checking the reviews of a betting site – punters give honest reviews on multiple sites. This is an excellent place to begin. Your safety is a crucial factor. That’s why Italian gambling sites and laws work towards protecting all gamblers from exploitation. Therefore, the above-mentioned sites guarantee you utmost protection – so, on these top Italy gambling sites, your private data and money remain safe when you are betting. 

Historical reputation is another vital factor. By analyzing the user reviews, you can know the history of an online gambling site. User will state their first-hand experience, and from here, you’ll have a general picture of how a gambling site works. Ideally, you’ll understand the different bookmakers by payment methods, efficiency of customer services, range of bonuses, and promotions alongside modern technology. A tainted history isn’t something to consider. Check out the promotions section at Gambling Judge to find there and more great gambling bonuses. Make sure to have a look at the in-depth reviews while you’re at it.

How to choose the best Italy gambling sites

While in Italy, you can choose to gamble at land-based casinos or decide to go online. Considering that the online platform offers many conveniences, many punters will naturally opt to create an account on one or more available bookmakers by country of their choice . While there are plenty of gambling sites available in Italy, not all are worth your time. At the bottom of it all, you need to get the best experience. Thus, avoiding sites with lousy software, poor customer services, or fake promotions should be your priority. But how do you know that? Here are some criteria:

As for recommendations

A friend or an expert might recommend gambling sites. Essentially, these are people who have first-hand experience with these sites, so they’ll tell you how Italy’s online betting scene operates. While this option might give decent options, you should also consider what impresses you. Something suitable for your friend may not work for you. Besides, the recommendations may not be trustworthy. 

Picking a random site 

With so many Italian online gambling with many types of gambling games, you can pick any site. Nevertheless, the golden rule is;  choose a site with the best reputation and is trustworthy. Thankfully, most gambling sites are reputable, though there is a chance that you might pick a shady site. 

Further Information

Therefore, your choice should be guided by certain indicators, including:

  • Licensing and regulation from a recognized licensing authority such as Malta gaming authority or UK gaming commission
  • Regularly audited and tested by third parties for fairness and randomness
  • Legal operation from a legitimate online gambling jurisdiction.
  • Uses the certified and the latest security technology to protect customer data 
  • Financial data encryption 
  • Transparent and fir term of use 
  • Contact details for customer support 
  • Range of offerings including bonuses and promotions 
  • Untainted history – proper customer treatment and lack of non-payment disputes. 

So, to get a great gambling site, you need to do in-depth research. 

Opting for well-known gambling sites

Since the passing of the Italy gambling sites law and regulations, many sites continue to register. Some betting sites are more reputable than others – for instance, some mobile betting sites advertise themselves heavily and they are known for the best user experience. In Italy, you’ll see a fair number of high roller casinos, which are well-known brands, and they also have exemplary quality online operations. However, it’s worth noting that the biggest and well-known sites may not be the best. It all boils down to what you need vs. what they offer. So, the top Italian gambling sites may not be suitable for you. 

Check the latest offerings

Advancement in technology has online gambling more exciting. For instance, in-play betting is a factor to put in mind in sports betting as it enhances user experience. Besides, check the website’s general outline, including the arrangement of various icons – it should make it easier for you to find gambling activities that please you more easily. Almost all online casinos offer the best software and games of chance. If you want a poor interface, you won’t enjoy the game. Besides, live dealer games alongside a wide selection of games are worth considering when it comes to online casino games. 

As a member of the European Union, the official currency of Italy is the Euro, and it is accepted all over the country and is a standard currency of bookmakers option at Italian betting sites, just like zloty is for the Polish bookmakers. There are many payment options available to Italian online players. The most common methods include major credit cards, debit cards, eWallets like Skrill, Neteller, PaySafe, and Click2Pay. Bank transfers are also widely accepted.

It is recommended that you check your preferred online gaming site to find out what options are available to you because these are the most common methods only. Remember, banking methods vary significantly across different betting websites. Therefore, it is vital to find a method that offers deposit and withdrawal methods available to you and those convenient to you. 

Top 5 best gambling options available in Italy

Tip

The range of games on the top gambling sites includes best online Slots, Baccarat, Video Poker, Craps, Live Dealer Games, Sic Bo, Scratch Cards, Blackjack, Roulette, Poker, Bingo, and Keno. If you are seeking the best gambling options in Italy, here are the top sites to consider:

Unibet: this online casino offers one of the best games, e-sports betting, alongside security features, bonuses and promotions, and prompt payments. 

Betway: Betway is known for its mouthwatering bonuses – its welcome bonus is up to 1000€, making it a force to reckon in the Italian gaming industry. 

888 Casino: if you are looking for a casino with the highest payout in Italy, the 888 casinos might be the right option for you. Beyond that, there is a fantastic array of games both for the desktop and mobile versions. 

NetBet: are you a blackjack fan? This bookmaker offers a 100% bonus and 100 free spins upon validation of your gambling account, you can also try it out at Chile betting sites and bookmakers. So following casino rules and regulations is very important.

Safe and secure for Italy gambling sites

Safety and security cover a lot of issues on a betting site. That’s why you need to only register on the most secure gambling websites or sports betting exchanges on the internet. The first step is checking whether the website has a valid license, i.e., from a reputable licensing commission. In Italy, it should be from the ADM – so check the ADM logo on the website. 

Besides, check the security certificates – these may differ from one bookie to another, and also our approved casinos but they must be reputable. Standard security certificates are SSL, GoDaddy, COMODO, and Symantec. Above security certificates, Tech. Audits from eCOGRA are vital as they ensure that a website is using confirmed Random Number Generators.

Pros and Cons about Italy gambling sites and laws

PROS

  • Tight regulation minimizing the risk of scam gambling websites
  • Allowed casinos to use software from reputable software developers like Microgaming, iSoftBet, Novomatic, and NetEnt.
  • Customer service is available in English and Italian
  • Most Italian gambling sites are mobile-ready
  • A rich game catalog
  • Offers live game platforms

CONS

  • Some websites support few currencies – Euro
  • Few languages support – English and Italian

Italy gambling sites and laws FAQ:

No. Italian punters get their entire winnings – no taxation is done. The operator shoulders the burden of the tax as their revenues are taxed.

Gambling in Italy is legal. So anyone above 18 years can gamble on Italian gambling sites without any issues.

Mobile technology is the modern trend in gambling, so every gambling site is installing mobile-ready software with hundreds of games, although not all of them.

Esports are relatively new in gambling and thus, have very few fans. This explains why only a few gambling sites in Italy offer them compared to other casinos and betting sports like horse racing. However, play esports on regulated bookies.

Yes, Italian bettors have access to live to bet. Most gambling websites allow live streaming in sports as well as live dealer casino games.

The most typical language is Italian; however, these websites support other European languages such as English, Spanish, German, and French

Verdict on Italy Gambling Sites and Laws

It’s true! Italy gambling sites and laws are pretty strict. This is a good thing for Italian players, as it creates a safe gambling environment. The online betting system was opened to international operators, thanks to the amendment of the law in 2011. This lead to the establishment of multiple online bookies. Currently, anyone within Italy can enjoy online betting on sports safely. However, gamblers need to locate the best gambling websites, and that involves a little bit of research or, simple yet, taking a look at this in-depth Italy gambling sites law and regulations guide.