Online Gaming: Italy's Council of State ruling on 12 June
June 12 is set to be a pivotal date for the future of online gambling in Italy. On that day, the Council of State will convene to examine the appeal filed by 14 licensees challenging the ongoing regulatory reform aimed at reshaping the sector’s structure.
The Licensees’ appeal and the Administrative Court ruling
The appellants contested the decision of the Lazio Regional Administrative Court (TAR), which had deemed their appeal partially inadmissible and partially unfounded.
The companies had sought the annulment of the entire tender framework and its implementing acts – including administrative rules, draft concession agreements, technical regulations, and conditions for Top-Up Sales Points (Punti Vendita Ricariche, or PVRs) – raising multiple claims of illegitimacy and unconstitutionality.
The TAR had already ordered the companies to pay joint legal costs totalling €6,000 to the defending public authorities.
The companies’ main objective is to suspend the reorganisation process, including the launch of a new public tender for online gambling licenses. However, the second-tier administrative judges have already indicated a preliminary stance through a decree issued on 28 May.
The Council of State’s stance
According to the , the request to suspend the entire selection process appears “disproportionate” compared to the actual interest of the parties involved. The judges pointed out that the companies have not yet been formally excluded from the procedure – no official exclusion measures have been issued – therefore, the conditions for precautionary intervention are not met.
Furthermore, the Council clarified that, given the nature of the contested measure, it is not currently possible to assess the merits of the objections raised by the appellants. As a result, the suspension request was preliminarily rejected, pending the council chamber meeting on 12 June 2025, which will determine whether the reorganisation process can proceed or must be halted. The outcome could directly impact the reform timeline and the validity of future online gambling licenses.
Deadline confirmed: 30 May for applications
This legal tug-of-war is likely to drag on for several more days, adding further uncertainty to a sector that is awaiting clear regulations in line with those of other European countries.
In the meantime, the deadline for submitting applications for the new remote gambling license tender remains set for 30 May.
Barring any unexpected developments, the reorganisation process is expected to continue on schedule, with a final ruling anticipated in June.
This article was first published in Italian on 29 May 2025.
