Explore hidden crypto community
External resource highlighted for Gambling Paradise readers.
Italy plans to bring LAN gaming halls under its gambling regulator, the Agenzia delle Dogane e dei Monopoli (ADM), with a proposal in the 2027 budget bill.
The bill would place venues where customers pay to use networked gaming equipment—commonly known as LAN halls or esports centers—under a licensing and taxation regime administered by the ADM. Article 25 would bar all betting on their premises, even though wagering is rarely, if ever, the focus of their activities. Operators would need ADM authorization every two years under Article 24.
Fees would include EUR 200 per gaming device, EUR 1,000 per venue, EUR 2,000 per game, and EUR 10,000 per online platform. Each venue would also need at least 20 gaming stations. An annual tax base of EUR 15,000 per device or station and an 8% entertainment tax would apply.
Beyond licensing and taxes, the ADM would set requirements for platforms, gaming centers and permitted games, and would regulate tournament rules, participation fees and prizes. A levy of up to 8% on tournament entry fees would fund oversight activities. Operators must keep logs of online activity on their PC terminals for at least five years.
The Italian Interactive Digital Entertainment Association (IIDEA) has called the provision unrealistic, arguing that the proposed costs and administrative requirements threaten a sector still in its infancy. IIDEA notes that Italy has only about 70 LAN centers, many of which do not meet the 20-machine minimum, and that the sector was worth roughly EUR 32 million in 2026. The government’s projection of 200 LAN centers by 2027 and 2,300 by 2028, and more than EUR 66 million in tax revenue and fees, appears inflated.
IIDEA also questions Article 24’s compatibility with EU law and data protection requirements, particularly the mandate to retain detailed user activity logs. The bill’s parliamentary examination has just begun, and IIDEA urges that any regulatory changes be based on realistic data and include input from affected businesses.
Licensing and Tax Burden for LAN Halls
The ADM would impose a multi-tiered fee structure: a flat EUR 200 per device, EUR 1,000 per venue, EUR 2,000 per game, and EUR 10,000 per online platform, plus an annual tax of EUR 15,000 per device and an 8% entertainment tax.
Industry Pushback and Legal Concerns
IIDEA argues that the 20-machine minimum and five-year activity logs are disproportionate to the current size of the sector and may conflict with EU data protection rules. The association calls for a data-driven review before implementation.
Related coverage
- RTP and expected-loss calculator
- UK Budget Raises Machine Games Duty to 25% for Category B Machines from 2027
- Denmark Targets Gambling-Like Mechanics in Children’s Video Games