In 2025, Italy launched the largest online gambling reform of the past decade. The ADM regulator has linked each licence to a single domain. Previously, one operator could manage multiple brands and dozens of websites, but that model is now gradually disappearing.
According to industry analysts, hundreds of gaming domains were active before the reform. Once the new licensing process is completed, that number could fall to approximately 50–60. The cost of a new licence has increased to €7 million, while its validity has been extended until 2034.
One review published by Rolling Slots examined the new licensing model in detail, highlighting how it is already reshaping the Italian market. In essence, the country is moving away from competition between domains and towards competition based on service quality, technology, and operators’ financial strength.
The new Italian gambling licence is becoming a long-term strategic asset. The higher the cost of entering the market, the stronger the process of market consolidation becomes. Large companies gain an advantage through scale, financial resources, and the ability to invest millions of euros in product development and compliance with ADM regulation requirements.
What Will Change for Players?
For most users, the changes will begin during the registration process. Player verification procedures will become stricter, and document checks will become a standard part of opening an account. Depending on the payment method used, identity verification may take anywhere from a few minutes to 48 hours.
At the same time, the level of player protection continues to improve. More operators are introducing self-exclusion tools, deposit limits, and systems designed to monitor gambling activity.
The reduction in the number of brands is also changing bonus strategies. Previously, a single owner could promote multiple websites with different promotional offers. Now, competition is becoming focused within each individual brand. As a result, offers such as the Rolling Slots bonus are increasingly becoming part of long-term customer-retention strategies.
According to EGBA data, the online segment already accounts for more than 50% of total digital gambling activity in several European countries. The greater the role of digital gambling, the more important account security, transparent financial operations, and risk management become.
Who Benefits From the Reform?
The main beneficiaries are international companies with substantial financial resources. For operators generating multi-million-euro revenues, a €7 million licence remains a significant but manageable investment. For smaller businesses, however, this entry barrier is often insurmountable.
Analysts expect that fewer than 15 major companies could control between 70% and 80% of Italy’s licensed gambling market within the next few years. At the same time, the importance of gaming tax revenue and other contributions to the national budget is increasing.
For players, this means fewer brands but a higher standard of service. The new operator competition is built around reliability, withdrawal speed, and technological innovation rather than the launch of large numbers of websites.
What Should Players Do Now?
Following the reform, the most important factor when choosing a casino is the reliability of a licensed operator. Verifying an ADM licence, reviewing the brand’s history, and checking withdrawal-processing times should become essential parts of the selection process.
When using Rolling Slots casino login or any other licensed operator, enabling two-factor authentication is highly recommended. According to European industry data, additional account protection can reduce the risk of account compromise by more than 90%.
Players should also pay closer attention to gambling compliance requirements. Many operators are required to complete identity verification before processing a first major withdrawal. This practice is gradually becoming standard across most regulated European markets.
Casino Selection Checklist
| Criterion | Recommended Standard |
| Licence | ADM |
| Verification | Before First Withdrawal |
| Account Protection | 2FA |
| Withdrawals | Within 24–72 Hours |
| Customer Support | 24/7 |
| Brand History | More Than 3 Years |
| Self-Exclusion Tools | Available |
What Will Happen to the Black Market?
Following the reduction in the number of licensed domains, some traffic may indeed seek alternative options. However, the experiences of Germany, the Netherlands, and Denmark suggest that, after an adjustment period, most players remain within the regulated sector.
The new gambling legislation makes it much easier to verify whether a website operates legally. The fewer licensed domains that exist within the market, the easier it becomes for users to distinguish legitimate operators from questionable platforms.
The changes also affect affiliate websites. The number of promoted brands is shrinking, while the cost of acquiring a new customer could increase by 15–30%. As a result, the affiliate sector is also entering a phase of consolidation.
European Experience and the Impact of AML
Italy is following a path previously taken by Germany and the Netherlands. Following the introduction of new requirements, greater attention has been placed on financial monitoring, responsible gambling, and user security.
A particularly important role is played by AML controls. These systems help track the origin of funds, identify suspicious transactions, and improve the transparency of financial flows.
According to European regulators, licensed online gambling now accounts for between 70% and 90% of activity in mature markets. At the same time, the use of responsible gambling tools and voluntary restrictions continues to increase.
The result is a more transparent gambling ecosystem in which security is gradually becoming more important than the number of available gaming brands.
How the Market Is Changing
| Indicator | Before the Reform | After the Reform |
| Number of Domains | Hundreds | 50–60 |
| Licence Cost | Lower | €7 Million |
| Licence Duration | Limited | Until 2034 |
| Customer Verification | Selective | Nearly Universal |
| Transaction Monitoring | Partial | Enhanced |
| Share of Large Operators | High | Even Higher |
Who Will Be Strongest by 2034?
If the current model remains in place, Italy’s gambling market is likely to become one of the most concentrated in Europe. The majority of casino traffic will be controlled by a relatively small number of major operators.
The greatest advantages will belong to brands capable of investing in payment infrastructure, security, and regulatory compliance. These companies are expected to generate the majority of gambling revenue within the market.
The reputation of each gaming brand will become more important than the scale of its advertising campaigns. As a result, players increasingly consult independent reviews, including a Rolling Slots review, before registering and evaluate Rolling Slots testimonials before making a deposit.
According to analysts, by the beginning of the next decade Italy could become one of Europe’s most transparent and tightly regulated online gambling markets. The industry will continue to monitor the progress of the reform through specialist analytical resources and industry publications such as rollingslots-italia.com.