Italy's Online Gambling Revenue Hits Record High in Early 2026

Italy's Online Gambling Revenue Hits Record High in Early 2026

Italy's regulated online gambling market has posted record revenues in the opening months of 2026, according to data from the Agenzia delle Dogane e dei Monopoli (ADM), Italy's gambling regulator. The figures confirm Italy's position as one of Europe's largest and most dynamic iGaming markets.

Sports Betting Drives Growth

Sports betting continues to be the primary growth engine in Italy. The 2025–26 football season, combined with increased wagering around Six Nations rugby and international tennis, contributed to a sharp rise in sportsbook activity. Several major operators reported double-digit year-on-year growth in Italian sports betting gross gaming revenue (GGR) for Q1 2026.

Live Casino Gaining Ground

Live casino products have seen particularly strong momentum. Players are increasingly favouring live dealer blackjack, roulette, and baccarat over traditional RNG games. Providers such as Evolution, Pragmatic Play Live, and Playtech have all expanded their Italian-language live studio content over the past 12 months, which analysts say has contributed directly to the revenue increase.

Regulatory Environment Remains Stable

Unlike some other European markets, Italy's regulatory framework has been relatively stable. The re-tendering of online gambling licences, completed in late 2024, brought in a new wave of well-capitalised operators who have invested heavily in player acquisition and product development. Advertising restrictions introduced in 2019 under the Dignity Decree remain in place, though the government has continued to discuss potential amendments.

Black Market Still a Concern

Despite the strong licensed market performance, Italian authorities have continued to block unlicensed operators and issue warnings to payment processors facilitating illegal gambling activity. The ADM has blocked thousands of URLs in recent years, but VPN-enabled access to unlicensed sites remains a persistent challenge regulators are working to address.

Outlook

With the European football season entering its final stretch and major summer tournaments on the horizon, Italy's gambling market is on course to set a full-year revenue record in 2026. The combination of a well-regulated framework, strong consumer demand, and increasing product quality positions Italy as a benchmark market within the European iGaming industry.