The European Gaming and Betting Association (EGBA) has recently issued a warning about the potential impact of Italy’s new online gambling decree. The decree, which was approved by the Italian government in December 2019, is set to come into effect on April 1st, 2020.
The EGBA is concerned that the new decree could have a negative impact on the European online gambling industry. The decree requires operators to obtain a license from the Italian regulator, AAMS, and to pay a 20% tax on all online gambling revenues. This is significantly higher than the taxes imposed by other European countries, and could put Italian operators at a competitive disadvantage.
Furthermore, the decree also requires operators to use only Italian-based payment processors, which could limit the options available to players. This could lead to fewer players playing online, as they may not be able to access their preferred payment methods.
The EGBA is also concerned that the decree could lead to an increase in illegal gambling activity. Without proper regulation, operators may be tempted to offer their services without a license, leading to an increase in unlicensed and unregulated gambling sites. This could put players at risk, as these sites are not subject to any consumer protection or safety measures.
The EGBA has called on the Italian government to reconsider the decree and ensure that it does not have a negative impact on the European online gambling industry. It has also urged other European countries to take steps to ensure that their online gambling regulations are in line with European standards.
The potential impact of Italy’s online gambling decree is an important issue for the European gaming industry. It is essential that the Italian government takes steps to ensure that its regulations are fair and do not put operators at a competitive disadvantage. It is also important that other European countries take steps to ensure that their regulations are in line with European standards, so that players can access a safe and secure online gambling environment.
