License Name
Italian Ministry of Economy and Finance (MEF) Online Gambling License
- Direct message
- Leave a review
- Bookmark
- Share
- Report
- prev
- next
Issuing Country/Region
Italy
Regulatory Body
Ministry of Economy and Finance (MEF) and the Customs and Monopolies Agency (Agenzia delle Dogane e dei Monopoli - ADM)
Types of Regulated Games
Online casino games, sports betting, poker, bingo, virtual sports
Market Coverage
National (Italy)
Regulator's Reputation
Very Good
Legal Entity Requirements
Operator must have legal or operational headquarters within the European Economic Area (EEA); proven operating track record required
Minimum Share Capital
Not specified in public decree; operator must show sufficient financial stability and at least €3 million in revenue over the past two years
Directors and Shareholders Requirements
Operating company must demonstrate proven expertise in managing gaming platforms; fit and proper requirements apply
Anti-Money Laundering (AML) Requirements
Strict AML compliance as per Italian and EU law; detailed AML policies, reporting, and monitoring required
Data Protection Requirements
Compliance with GDPR is mandatory
Reporting Requirements
Regular, detailed regulatory reporting to ADM as specified by sector rules
Audit Requirements
Mandatory technical and compliance audits, including certification of platforms and financials
Software Certification Requirements
All gaming software and platforms must be certified as compliant with Italian regulatory standards
RNG Certification
Certification and independent laboratory testing of random number generators required
Payment System Requirements
Use of certified, compliant payment and withdrawal services mandatory
Server Location Requirements
Servers must be accessible by Italian authorities; typically within EU/EEA
Domain Name Requirements
One domain per license; multiple “skins” are prohibited
Language Support Requirements
Italian language support mandatory
Currency Support Requirements
Euro (EUR) mandatory
Legal Compliance Costs
Entry and operational legal fees are significant due to high standards and ongoing requirements
Background Checks
Stringent criminal and financial background checks for key personnel
License Scope Restrictions
One license per operator per product vertical; limited to regulated online gambling activities
Jurisdictional Tax Compliance
Compliance with Italian gaming taxes and corporate tax required
Player Data Storage Requirements
Data residency per European and Italian legal frameworks
Cross-Border Operations
License does not cover operations outside Italy
License Application Transparency
Public registration and regulated tender process
Regulatory Contact Point
ADM is main point of contact for operators
Compliance Officer Requirement
Designated compliance officer required for licensed operators
Local Partnership Requirements
Not required, but EEA legal presence or operational headquarters mandatory
Legal Dispute Resolution
Italian legal system and administrative appeal processes apply
License Transferability
License not transferrable; tied to operator fulfilling all regulatory requirements
Sub-Licensing Rules
Sub-licensing not permitted
License Cost
€7,000,000 per nine-year license; paid in two installments (€4,000,000 at award, €3,000,000 at operations launch)
Annual Fees
No published annual recurring fee, but ongoing compliance contributions and operational costs apply
Income Taxes
24.5% GGR tax on online sports betting and virtual games; 25.5% GGR tax on online casino and poker
Player Winnings Taxes
Operator is not required to withhold tax for player winnings in most verticals
Financial Guarantees
€750,000 provisional bank guarantee required upon application; €3.7 million final guarantee due in 2025; additional fixed and variable guarantees during license term
Liquidity Requirements
Operator must demonstrate financial robustness; minimum €3 million operated revenue in past two years
Financial Reporting Requirements
Format and frequency as per ADM/MEF rules; includes financial stability and integrity declarations
Application Processing Time
Application window closes November 12, 2025; process includes eligibility check, documentation submission, technical review, and compliance audits; license issuance within ~6 months of award
Required Documents
Proof of EEA headquarters, evidence of financial track record, technical documentation, compliance and AML policies, software certifications, responsible gaming and player protection policies
Business Plan Requirements
Comprehensive business plan covering operations, compliance, and technical details required
Internal Policy Requirements
AML, KYC, responsible gaming, data protection, and operational security policies required
Testing Requirements
Independent audit and technical testing of platform and software
Certification Requirements
All software and RNG platforms must be certified by an approved laboratory
Staff Qualifications
Key staff must show gambling industry experience and pass fit and proper checks
Physical Office Requirements
Not specified, but legal/operational headquarters required within EEA
Local Representative Requirements
Not specified
Marketing Restrictions
Must comply with Italian advertising laws (complete ad ban on most gambling advertising remains under public review as of 2025)
Responsible Gaming Measures
Mandatory player deposit limits, responsible gaming notifications, and support features required
Self-Exclusion System
Implementation of national self-exclusion system is mandatory
Age Verification Procedures
Rigorous KYC and age verification required
KYC Procedures
Mandatory KYC checks and ongoing monitoring of customers
Customer Support Standards
Italian service and support channels mandatory
Complaint Handling Procedures
Transparent player complaint handling, as defined by ADM guidelines
Player Funds Protection
Evidence of player funds segregation and protection required
Payout Timelines
Not specified
Bonus and Promotion Regulations
Promotions subject to strict transparency, player protection, and advertising rules
Permitted Games List
Regulated games include online casino (slots, table games), poker, betting, bingo, virtuals
Betting Limits
Limits set by regulatory standards and responsible gaming mandates
RTP Requirements
Not specified in public rules
Jackpot Regulations
Not specified
Live Game Requirements
Live dealer games allowed, must comply with certification and player protection rules
Mobile App Compliance
Subject to same regulations and certifications as desktop platforms
Affiliate Program Rules
Affiliate programs allowed, subject to compliance with advertising and player protection rules
Security Standards
High-level security standards; platform must pass technical and security certification
Encryption Requirements
SSL/TLS encryption mandatory for all player data and payment flows
Backup Requirements
Not specified in public rules
Monitoring Systems
Real-time monitoring and reporting to regulatory portals required
Operation Logging
All operations must be logged and auditable
Anti-Fraud Systems
Mandatory implementation of anti-fraud and anti-money laundering monitoring
API Integration Standards
Technical integrations must comply with ADM access and audit requirements
Hosting Requirements
Infrastructure accessible by Italian authorities, typically within EEA
CDN Usage
Not specified in public rules
Scalability Requirements
Sufficient to handle expected Italian market demand
Uptime Requirements
Operators must ensure stable, continuous service consistent with ADM standards
Technical Support Availability
24/7 availability for technical and critical compliance issues recommended
License Duration
Nine years, aligned to regulatory cycle ending March 2035
Renewal Procedure
Tender-based renewal process; future framework to be defined by ADM and MEF at expiration
Penalties for Non-Compliance
Fines, license suspension, or revocation for regulatory violations
Ownership Change Rules
Any change in control or ownership subject to ADM/MEF approval
Mergers and Acquisitions Rules
Operators must notify regulators of merger or acquisition events
Subcontractor Regulations
Third-party providers must comply with all Italian rules and be disclosed to ADM
Branding Requirements
Use of approved logos/identifiers; operator’s own brand only—no multiple “skins” per license
Intellectual Property Protection
Operators are responsible for compliance with IP law and must use properly licensed software
Dispute Arbitration
Legal dispute resolution in Italy; limited administrative appeal options as per regulatory framework
Insurance Requirements
Not specified in public decree
Charity Contributions
Not specified in public decree
Staff Training Requirements
Ongoing training for responsible gaming, compliance, security, and AML
Innovation Support
Not specified
Sustainability Initiatives
Not specified
Accessibility Standards
Not specified
Multilingual Support
Italian mandatory, additional languages optional
Cryptocurrency Support
Not specifically addressed; generally not permitted for consumer transactions
Esports Betting Regulations
Covered under approved product verticals if platform is certified
Fantasy Sports Regulations
Allowed if compliant and certified
Official Address
Ministero dell'Economia e delle Finanze, Via XX Settembre 97, 00187 Rome, Italy; ADM: Piazza Mastai 12, 00153 Rome, Italy
Work Hours
Monday to Friday, 08:00 - 17:00 (typical government hours)
Departments
MEF – Directorate Generals for Treasury, Finance, Budget; ADM – Lottery, Betting, Compliance, Gaming Product Divisions
FAQ Question 1
What is Italian Ministry of Economy and Finance (MEF) Online Gambling License?
FAQ Answer 1
The MEF Online Gambling License is the official authorization for operators to provide online gambling services in Italy, issued through the MEF and the ADM, under a new regime implemented from 2025. It requires high financial, technical, and regulatory standards and covers all major product verticals including casino, betting, and poker.
FAQ Question 2
Which jurisdiction issues Italian Ministry of Economy and Finance (MEF) Online Gambling License?
FAQ Answer 2
Italy, by the Ministry of Economy and Finance (MEF) and the Customs and Monopolies Agency (ADM).
FAQ Question 3
What is the cost of obtaining Italian Ministry of Economy and Finance (MEF) Online Gambling License?
FAQ Answer 3
The license fee is €7,000,000 per brand and product vertical, payable in two installments as part of a nine-year concession.
FAQ Question 4
What are the main requirements for Italian Ministry of Economy and Finance (MEF) Online Gambling License?
FAQ Answer 4
Main requirements include (1) EEA presence and proven operating record, (2) €3 million revenue minimum in last two years, (3) certified gaming platform, (4) strict AML and KYC compliance, (5) detailed technical and financial documentation, (6) substantial financial guarantees, and (7) ongoing reporting, controls, and audits.