ADM Postpones Online Gambling Certification System to February 2027 Amid Technical Hurdles

Italy’s Customs and Monopolies Agency (ADM) has pushed back the launch of its new online gambling certification system to February 15, 2027, following ongoing technical difficulties and a low volume of submitted applications. Originally slated for October and subsequently deferred to November, the transition forms a core pillar of Italy’s broader online regulatory overhaul under Legislative Decree 41/2024.

Despite technical support from state-owned IT partner SOGEI, persistent operational bottlenecks prevented an autumn rollout. Under the revised phased timetable, the November deadline remains active for platform providers (CFS) to supply core gaming systems for a shared certification library. CFS operators must then submit conformity results by January 13, 2027, with all technical and functional verification checks concluding by February 12 three days ahead of full production launch. ADM confirmed the delay is designed to safeguard market continuity and state tax revenues without interrupting existing player protection, identification, or self-exclusion obligations.

Simultaneously, the Italian government is moving to stabilize the land-based sector through the 2027 Budget Bill. Rather than launching a new tender, the draft legislation proposes extending existing betting, gaming-machine network, and bingo concessions through December 31, 2029 in exchange for additional fees. Pending parliamentary approval, the bill also introduces significant fiscal adjustments starting in January, including raising the PREU tax levy from 24% to 25% on amusement-with-prizes (AWP) machines and from 8.6% to 9.6% on video lottery terminals (VLTs), alongside doubling maximum AWP stakes to €2 and top prizes to €200. With national elections approaching next year, these extensions buy Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni’s administration time to resolve long-standing disputes with regional authorities over retail venue distribution.