The Sports Bookie Blog

ITALY ABOUT TO REGULATE ONLINE GAMBLING?

September 29th, 2006

Italy has apparently done a radical about-turn in its approach to online gambling. It appears that the Italian authorities are going from website blockades instituted with local ISPs through the AAMS, to a UK style regulatory and taxation regime.

Italy has had an interesting relationship with online gaming. In February, the country attempted to ban all IP addresses of online gaming sites – well over 600 in all – and then a few days later reportedly tried to set up an ‘exclusive’ relationship with an online poker room, allegedly for a piece of the action.

Now, Italy is moving toward regulation of the industry. As of January 1, 2007, it will be legal for Italian citizens to gamble online. The new law also clears the way for things like public sports betting as well.

This piece of legislation regulates all ‘ability based and fixed betting activities’. The Italian plan is apparently informed by the U.K. initiative when it comes to how the entities that do business in Italy are regulated.

If a company does business with Italian customers, the government will stand to make a 3 percent tax on any gaming based revenues acquired by the company.

Finally mainland Europe is getting it’s act together – and recognising that online business – gambling and otherwise – is here to stay.

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