Italy Sets Sights on €1 Billion Gambling Revenue Target for 2027-2028 Budget Cycle

Italy’s Ministry of Economy and Finance projects raising approximately €1 billion from gambling companies over 2027–2028 as part of the Meloni government’s 2027 Budget Law, and this figure doubles the prior cycle’s target while connecting directly to multiple regulatory reforms already underway.

The projections form one element within a larger €7–8 billion revenue initiative spanning various sectors, with details still under review ahead of parliamentary processes expected around late October 2026. Observers note that the gambling sector contribution sits alongside changes to online licensing structures, including a new regime that introduced €7 million annual fees effective since November 2025, plus adjustments to auditing procedures, technical standards, and concession extensions or charges.

Key Elements of the Proposed Revenue Plan

The Ministry has outlined how these reforms will generate the targeted sums, and the approach includes both established mechanisms and potential new tenders. One area receiving attention involves the scratch-and-win or instant lottery concession currently held by Lotterie Nazionali, which is scheduled to expire in 2028; an early tender process remains under consideration as a way to secure additional funds during the 2027–2028 window.

Reforms to online gambling licensing continue to roll out following the November 2025 implementation of the higher annual fees, and these changes work in tandem with updated auditing procedures that aim to improve oversight across operators. Technical standards updates also feature in the package, while concession extensions carry associated charges that contribute to the overall revenue projection.

Broader Fiscal Context and Timeline

This gambling sector target operates inside the Meloni government’s wider 2027 Budget Law framework, where the €7–8 billion cross-sector drive reflects ongoing efforts to balance fiscal priorities. Parliamentary review processes are slated to begin around late October 2026, giving lawmakers time to examine the detailed proposals before final adoption.

Data from industry reporting indicates the €1 billion figure represents a significant increase over previous cycles, and the doubling stems from the combined impact of licensing reforms, fee structures, and potential concession adjustments. Those tracking the developments point out that the Ministry continues refining the numbers as part of the pre-parliamentary preparation phase.

Regulatory Reforms Driving the Projections

The new online gambling licensing regime, complete with its €7 million annual fees, took effect in November 2025 and now serves as a foundational element for the 2027–2028 revenue goals. Auditing procedure enhancements seek to strengthen compliance monitoring, while technical standard updates ensure operators meet evolving operational requirements that also tie into fee collections.

Concession extension policies include specific charges that add to the projected totals, and the possibility of an early tender for the instant lottery concession adds another layer of potential revenue. Lotterie Nazionali’s current agreement runs through 2028, so any accelerated process would shift the timeline for financial inflows into the 2027–2028 period under discussion.

Implementation Outlook

Ministry officials continue coordinating the various reform strands to align with the overall budget timeline, and the late October 2026 parliamentary window will determine how the proposals advance. The €1 billion target remains subject to these legislative steps, with adjustments possible depending on the final approved language.

Industry participants monitor the developments closely because the licensing, auditing, and concession changes affect operational planning through the end of the decade. The combined effect of these measures underpins the Ministry’s revenue forecast for the gambling sector over the two-year span.

Conclusion

The Ministry of Economy and Finance has positioned the gambling sector as a notable contributor within the 2027 Budget Law, with the €1 billion projection reflecting the cumulative impact of licensing reforms, fee structures, and concession-related adjustments. As parliamentary processes approach in late October 2026, the details will undergo further scrutiny before the measures take shape for the 2027–2028 period. Projections for the 2027 Budget Law and related sector contributions continue to evolve through official channels.