The country’s communications regulator is enforcing new rules that impact the iGaming space
Italy has taken another step toward tightening its gambling regulations, with AGCOM, the country’s Media and Communications Authority, approving new measures aimed at protecting minors. One of the main changes is the mandatory age verification system, which will be applied to all gambling-related content. This move is designed to ensure that only adults can access these platforms, alongside other adult-specific content like pornography and certain social media services.
The new regulation will require users to verify their age through Italy’s Public Digital Identity System (SPID) or a similar digital identification method before engaging with gambling or other restricted content. The system will use a “double anonymity” approach, meaning media providers won’t store or track user data related to age verifications, ensuring privacy for individuals.
This age-verification initiative is part of a broader set of online safety measures known as the Caivano Decree, which focuses on shielding minors from content deemed harmful to their physical, mental, or moral development. The European Commission has been informed of Italy’s new measures and is currently reviewing them for compliance with EU data protection and privacy rules.
In the gambling sector, the Italian government is also preparing to introduce a restructured framework for online gambling licenses. These licenses, expected to be priced at €7 million (US$7.5 million) and valid for nine years, will be subject to the newly established age verification standards. The new rules are likely to come into effect in early 2025, following the expected approval from the European Commission.
With these changes, Italy continues its efforts to regulate online gambling more strictly, ensuring that minors are safeguarded from the potential harms associated with gambling while respecting user privacy.
