Italy Targets €700 Million From Gambling Sector in 2027 Budget
Italy.- 30 October 2026 | www.zonadeazar.com The Italian Government, led by Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, has confirmed that the gambling sector is expected to contribute approximately €700 million towards financing the country’s 2027 national budget.
The announcement followed the Council of Ministers’ approval of the 2027 Budget Bill and the multi-year budget covering 2027-2029 on 28 October.
Although the Government has confirmed the expected contribution, it has not yet published the detailed measures through which the additional revenue will be raised. Possible mechanisms reported by Italian media include higher gambling taxes and extensions to existing concessions.
A €26 Billion Budget Package
The Council of Ministers approved a budget package worth approximately €26 billion in 2027 and €27 billion in 2028.
Financing will include additional revenue from several economic sectors, alongside European budgetary mechanisms and reductions in ministerial expenditure.
Sectors expected to contribute include:
- Financial services.
- Gambling and betting.
- Energy companies.
The Government also intends to introduce measures supporting households, businesses and public services.
The gambling industry’s contribution forms part of this broader funding strategy.
Giorgia Meloni Confirms Gambling Contribution
During the press conference following the Cabinet meeting, Meloni confirmed the amount expected from the industry.
“Another €700 million comes from the gaming sector,” the Prime Minister stated.
She also announced an approximately €700 million contribution from energy companies.
However, Meloni did not specify which gambling products would be affected or which taxation and administrative mechanisms would be used to generate the additional revenue.
These details remain subject to publication of the Budget Bill.
Revenue Forecasts Extend to 2029
The announced contribution is consistent with estimates included in Italy’s draft budgetary plan submitted to the European Commission earlier in October.
The document projects additional gambling-related revenue equivalent to:
- 2027: approximately 0.03% of GDP.
- 2028: approximately 0.03% of GDP.
- 2029: approximately 0.02% of GDP.
These percentages correspond to approximately €700 million annually during the first two years and around €480 million in 2029.
The figures are fiscal projections and do not establish how the additional burden will be distributed among operators, products and concession holders.
Possible Tax Increase on Slots and VLTs
One of the options reported by Italian media involves increasing the Prelievo Erariale Unico (PREU).
This tax applies to certain gaming machines, including slots and video lottery terminals.
Reports published on 29 October suggest that the Government may be considering a one-percentage-point increase in the applicable rate.
Such a change could affect gaming machine operators and land-based gambling venues.
However, the Government has not officially confirmed the measure, meaning it remains a possibility rather than an approved change.
Concession Extensions Could Run Until 2029
Another potential measure involves extending existing gambling concessions.
Segments reportedly under consideration include:
- Slot machines and video lottery terminals.
- Land-based sports betting.
- Bingo halls.
- Instant lotteries.
Concessions for gaming machine networks, retail betting and bingo are scheduled to expire on 31 December 2026.
According to industry reports, the Government may introduce further three-year extensions subject to higher payments than those previously required.
Such extensions could generate additional public revenue without immediately launching new licensing procedures.
Gratta e Vinci Among the Possible Measures
Italy’s Gratta e Vinci scratchcard lottery is also among the activities that could be affected by the new budget provisions.
Industry reports suggest that the Government may revise the financial terms of its concession or introduce an extension linked to the new budgetary arrangements.
Other reports have mentioned potential changes to commercial commissions on lottery sales.
However, these proposals have not been officially confirmed.
Their scope will depend on the provisions ultimately included in the Budget Bill.
Online Gambling Remains Under Consideration
Another outstanding question concerns the treatment of online betting and casino gaming.
Some reports published before Cabinet approval suggested that the Government was considering changes to taxation affecting these operations.
Other accounts focused instead on gaming machines and land-based concessions as the principal sources of additional revenue.
The differing reports underline that there is still no official breakdown of the €700 million contribution across gambling market segments.
Operators must await publication of the Budget Bill to determine whether their businesses will be directly affected.
Industry Warns About Tax Pressure
Ahead of the Council of Ministers meeting, industry representatives and analysts raised concerns about additional taxation.
Dario Peirone, Director General of the Istituto Milton Friedman, warned on 22 October about the potential consequences of another increase.
“A further tax increase would bring about the final collapse of land-based gaming, already stifled by unsustainable bureaucratic and tax pressure,” he stated.
Peirone also criticised the possibility of imposing additional charges on extensions to gaming machine concessions.
His comments reflect the institute’s position and form part of the wider debate about gambling taxation.
Different Revenue Estimates Emerge
Although Meloni confirmed a €700 million contribution, some reports published on 29 October suggested higher revenue targets.
According to Italian financial media, certain combinations of tax increases and concession extensions could generate more than €900 million annually between 2027 and 2029.
Other estimates place additional gambling-related revenue for 2027 at approximately €750 million.
For now, these figures should be distinguished from the Government’s announcement.
The only amount explicitly confirmed by the Government for the gambling sector is approximately €700 million in 2027.
Parliament Must Approve the Budget
Following Cabinet approval, the Budget Bill will be considered by the Italian Parliament.
The Chamber of Deputies and Senate will examine the proposed legislation and may introduce amendments.
The legislative process is expected to conclude before the end of December 2026, allowing the new budget to take effect on 1 January 2027.
The final provisions affecting the gambling industry will become clearer as parliamentary consideration progresses.
Industry Impact and Next Steps
The Italian Government’s decision once again places the gambling industry among the sectors expected to contribute additional revenue to the national budget.
For operators, the principal uncertainty concerns the measures that will generate the announced €700 million.
A possible PREU increase could raise the tax burden on gaming machines, while concession extensions could introduce additional costs for licensed businesses.
Italy has confirmed a €700 million gambling sector contribution for 2027, but the specific obligations remain subject to publication of the Budget Bill and parliamentary approval.
The complete legislative text will be essential in determining the actual impact on casinos, betting, bingo, lotteries and online gambling.
Edited by: @fonta
