Landmark digital gaming transformation: ADM chooses 46 key players to lead the sector forward

The Italian digital gaming landscape is poised for a defining transformation. The Customs and Monopolies Agency (ADM) has recently completed the initial qualification stage for granting new licenses. A select group of just 46 operators has been approved to advance, featuring prominent entities like 888 Italy, Betfair Italy, Sisal, William Hill Malta and LeoVegas. This decision is deliberate: by favoring those who exhibit robust technological infrastructure and financial stability, the focus shifts toward cultivating a more secure, clear, and accountable marketplace. The directive is unequivocal: the evolution of gaming in Italy will be driven by providers capable of ensuring superior standards and user safeguards.

An accelerated schedule for transformation

The clock is ticking down. Existing licenses are set to lapse on September 17, 2025, though a short-term extension could push that to the 30th. In the interim, ADM will wrap up its technical and financial assessments of the chosen firms by July. Successful applicants must then promptly settle the initial concession installment—4 million—and demonstrate they hold no less than 3.7 million in accessible funds. Agreements will be finalized in August and September to prevent any service interruptions, ensuring the gaming terminals continue operating without a hitch.

Technology at the center of the new era

The transformation extends beyond paperwork: chosen operators must deploy advanced digital infrastructures that connect with ADM’s protected platform. A six-month adaptation phase is planned, targeting full implementation by March 2026. During this interval, legacy and modern systems will operate in parallel, ensuring uninterrupted service for users. Upon completion, firms will remit the second licensing payment—3 million euros—finalizing their formal transition into the regulated gaming landscape.

Enhanced player safeguards and more rigorous guidelines

A central element of the regulatory overhaul involves the governance of player accounts. Individuals will have the option to migrate their accounts to a different licensed provider, adhering to tax regulations and subject to pre-approval. Operators excluded from the new system must terminate all user accounts by August 17, 2025, reimbursing client balances. Funds not reclaimed within a 60-day window will be transferred to the State Treasury. Furthermore, operators will be required to submit weekly reports on account transactions and must convert to a public limited company (S.p.A.) structure before securing operating licenses. The objective is unequivocal: to foster a more transparent, secure, and sustainable marketplace, while continuing to promote responsible gaming.