Italy's Finance Ministry Sets €1 Billion Gambling Target for 2027-2028 Budget Cycle

Italy's Ministry of Economy and Finance has outlined plans that position the gambling sector to deliver roughly €1 billion in contributions toward the government's 2027–2028 budget framework as officials work to assemble a larger €7–8 billion revenue package drawn from several industries, and this projection forms part of ongoing preparations that will shape the next national spending law.

Officials have tied the target to a series of regulatory adjustments already in motion or under active review, including updates to online gambling licensing that introduced an annual fee structure set at €7 million and effective since November 2025, while further modifications to auditing procedures and technical standards are expected to generate additional compliance costs for operators.

Key Reforms Driving the Revenue Projection

Changes to concession extension charges represent another component under consideration, and these increases would apply to existing agreements that companies seek to prolong, whereas a potential early tender process for the instant-win and scratchcard concession currently held by Lotterie Nazionali could bring forward a contract valued around €1 billion if authorities decide to accelerate the timeline.

Those who have followed Italian gaming policy note that the measures remain subject to parliamentary approval and ongoing discussions with European Union bodies, which means final figures and implementation details could shift before the 2027 Budget Law reaches its final form ahead of national elections.

Timeline and Political Context

Preparations for the budget package have intensified during October 2026, as ministry staff compile revenue estimates that will feed into legislative proposals expected in the coming months, and the gambling sector's projected €1 billion share sits within a broader effort to stabilize public finances through targeted industry contributions rather than across-the-board tax increases.

Data compiled by the ministry indicates that licensing reforms already enacted will continue to influence operator costs through 2027 and 2028, while any early tender for the scratchcard concession would require coordination between multiple agencies and could face scrutiny under EU competition rules before moving forward.

Observers point out that higher charges for concession extensions would apply selectively to agreements nearing renewal, and this approach allows the government to capture additional value without immediately restructuring every existing contract in the market.

Regulatory Adjustments in Detail

The €7 million annual fee regime introduced last year already applies to online platforms seeking or renewing licenses, and ministry projections incorporate the steady revenue stream this fee creates alongside anticipated income from revised auditing and technical standards that operators must meet to maintain compliance.

Those tracking the sector note that the instant-win concession operated by Lotterie Nazionali carries an estimated value near €1 billion, which makes an accelerated tender process a notable lever if included in the final budget package, although parliamentary committees and EU consultations will determine whether that option advances.

Revenue targets remain flexible at this stage because the 2027 Budget Law must navigate both domestic legislative procedures and external review, which means the €1 billion gambling contribution could adjust depending on how each reform element progresses through the approval chain.

Conclusion

Italy's Ministry of Economy and Finance continues to refine these estimates as October 2026 unfolds, and the combination of licensing fees, auditing updates, extension charges, and a possible early concession tender forms the core pathway toward the stated €1 billion target within the larger €7–8 billion revenue drive. Final decisions on these elements will emerge through parliamentary debate and EU coordination in teh months ahead. Projections for 2027 Budget Law and related coverage from industry briefings provide additional context on the timeline.