Sector News

Italian cash poker – all in

31 March 2010

As expected since July 2009 when Italian based operators were allowed to offer real money tournament poker online, AAMS, the Italian gaming authority, has finally issued a decree regulating online poker cash games and casino games. Once the technicalities of the authorisation process are complete, Italian licensed operators will be able to offer these new games.

That this move has been eagerly anticipated, and that there is considerable pent-up demand for online cash poker in particular, is illustrated by the flurry of industry activity over the past few months. This is typified by bwin’s September 2009 interest is Gioco Digitale and Microgaming’s launch of an Italian network offering tournament poker in readiness for the AAMS decree.

Roger Raatgever, CEO at Microgaming sees Italy as “… an important region for the future of gaming in Europe, as it has set the standard for other countries wishing to introduce gaming regulations; it is a crucial gateway for further EU expansion.”

If analysis is correct, the launch of poker cash games and casino games will generate 2010 turnover of €5bn and €3bn respectively; this could well represent the largest development in the European gaming market this year.

That this development will attract more operators to the Italian gaming market seems inevitable given that the legislation is likely to permit licence holders to be based, and site their servers, in any EC country or in any other country (Isle of Man, Alderney, etc.) willing to enter into bilateral agreements with the Italian gaming authority.  

Licensed operators will pay Italian gaming taxes while paying corporate taxes in the country where they are incorporated; achieving a pragmatic balance between EU free trade directives and Italy’s need to generate tax revenue. The potential for increased revenue makes it very likely that AAMS will take further action to block any activity by non-licensed operators.

As potential entrants rush to finalise their strategies, current Italian licensed operators will be working round the clock to maximise the advantage of the head start afforded by their existing licences, established local expertise and alliances.