Italian Casinos & Gambling Industry
Gambling had existed ever since the Roman Empire when games like backgammon became popular. Ridotto, the first gambling house in Venice, Italy, opened its doors in 1638. During this time, it was when the government decided to gain control over the citizen’s gambling activities. Gambling at this time was also only for those who could afford it. Therefore, only the rich could play there. However, the Ridotto closed its doors in 1774. This resulted in the growing popularity of gaming clubs which were later on called casinos. Interestingly, the word casino itself is of Italian origin.
Gambling has been a part of Italian culture for centuries, but it was legalized much later than in other countries. There are several reasons Italy allowed gambling to flourish: tourism, tax revenue, and social benefits have all played a part in legalizing this vices industry.
Italian Online Gambling Laws
Gambling, in general, used to be illegal according to Italian Criminal Law. Additionally, the AAMS (Amministrazione Autonoma dei Monopoli di Stato / Autonomous Administration of State Monopolies) has the power to grant licenses and regulate gambling matters. In other words, only the state has the right to allow gambling. However, in 2006, Italy became the first European Member State to legalize, license, and regulate online gambling. On the other hand, there are still prohibitions and restrictions for gaming operators. Still, gaming operators can apply for a license if they meet specific requirements. This includes technical, financial, and other business aspects. Although, the AAMS can only issue 120 licenses for online gambling.
Italian legislation concerning gambling has made another significant step with the Finance Act of 2007. Skill card games will now be conducted in a tournament format, with the stakes matching the tournament entry fee. This instantly makes Texas Hold’em poker legal. Video poker games based on the same rules as poker games are forbidden.
Gambling laws in Italy are primarily under the jurisdiction of the national government. The most significant laws include online gambling, lotteries, and sports betting prohibitions. Most statutes are broadly enforced, and violations are usually punishable with fines or jail time. Gamblers should check local laws before engaging in online gambling in Italy to ensure they don’t break any rules. Moreover, only those 18 and above can participate in any gambling activity in this country.
Payment Methods in Italy
In Italy, many online casinos offer a variety of payment options. The most popular are Credit Cards, E-wallets, and Bank Transfers. The following are the most popular payment methods at Italian-based online casinos below:
- PayPal
- Skrill
- Neteller
- Mastercard
- Visa
- PostePay
- PaySafe Card
- HiPay
- Wire Transfer
- On Shop
Most online casinos would recommend using Paypal as the payment method. This is most likely because Paypal is a reputable payment method that’s widely used across the world.
How to Bet Online
There are a few ways to bet online in Italy. One way is to use an online betting site. These sites allow you to place bets on various sports, including football, tennis, and horse racing. Another way to bet online in Italy is to use a bookmaker. These sites allow you to bet on sports matches, as well as other types of events. Finally, you can also bet on sporting events using an online casino. These sites allow you to place bets on a variety of different sports. Here are a few betting sites that you can check on:
- Bet365
- bWin
- 888Sport
- Betfair
- Snai
- Eurobet
- Unibet
- William Hill
- LeoVegas
After choosing an online betting site, you must create an account with them. Most sites offer welcome bonuses to their new players. These bonuses may be free, with no deposit bonuses or cashback bonuses. If you’ve registered and made a deposit, you can either browse the bookmakers’ games or start betting.
Online Games
Although Italy has restricted any forms of gambling in their country, there are still Italians who are a fan of online gambling. They still actively participate in betting on sporting events as long as it’s legal. Online games are a popular form of entertainment in Italy. With the rapid growth of smartphones and tablets, people can play games on their mobile devices. The most popular games are card games such as poker or blackjack or arcade-style games such as Angry Birds or Candy Crush.
FAQ for Italian Players
Are Online Casinos in Italy Safe?
Yes, online casinos in Italy are safe. Considering how strict Italy is when legalizing gambling, the AAMS ensure that gaming operators who register with them meet the specific requirements. In addition to that, the AAMS can only issue 120 licenses. This is to ensure that the gaming operators are legit.
How Often do Italians Gamble?
Recently the gambling market in Italy has been expanding fast. As of 2019, 30% of Italians are gambling. Most of them prefer to gamble offline, while the rest switch between offline and online gambling.
Is Gambling in Italy Legal?
Yes. As of 2011, Italy has allowed online casinos to operate within its borders as long as they are licensed and regulated by the ADM (Agenzia delle Dogane e dei Monopoli), previously known as the AAMS.
