Italy

In 2009 Italy implemented several regulations that reorganized the framework for online gaming and (for the first time) regulated "live sport poker." The "Comunitaria" decree, which was published in early 2011, regulates the award of new Italian remote gaming licenses and the upgrade of existing Italian licenses to the new regulating body. There are 200 licenses available to award under the new regulations.

In order to qualify for an Italian remote gaming license, operators need to be licensed and established within a European Economic Area (EEA) state and have a permanent link-up with the Autonomous Administration of State Monopoly’s (AAMS, the Italian licensing authority) centralized system for compliance, monitoring, and tax purposes. Gambling companies incorporated in Italy are subject to Italy's 27.5% corporate income tax rate. Gambling companies must also pay a regional tax of between 2.98 and 4.82% based on the region in which they were established.

In March 2011 the Official Gazette of the Italian government published a change to online gaming regulations in Italy. Operators holding an Italian license were given the right to legally offer poker games and casinos to their players. A 20% tax on gross profits is to be collected by the state. The return rate for players was set at a minimum of 90%, and it is anticipated that this new legalization will double the turnover of online games in Italy over the next year.

In 2010, the total amount of money spent on sites during the first eight months was estimated at around EUR 3 billion, roughly 40% more than in 2009. Wagers in August 2010 exceeded those of August 2009 by 28%. Online poker has already generated over EUR 200 million for the Italian state in the first three months of 2011. The EUR 4.8 billion turnover of the 2010 Italian online gaming market is projected to double by the beginning of 2012 with the launch of online poker and casino-style betting in 2011.

With the climate for gaming undergoing such drastic change in Italy, the AAMS has also undergone a necessary change. In the future, the AAMS will be known as Agenzia Giochi and its primary function will be to enforce the licensing and regulation of Italy's new gaming laws.