Online Casinos In Italy: Best Casino Sites for Italian Players

History of Casino Gambling in Italy

Casino gambling in Italy, often regarded as the birthplace of this pastime, boasts a rich history that mirrors the nation's cultural and social development.

The inception of live casinos in Italy dates back to 1638 with the establishment of the Venetian Ridotto, the first recognized gambling house. This venue set the stage for controlled gambling environments, especially during the festive carnival season.

Over time, Italy's gambling scene transformed alongside its evolving social and political context. A significant shift occurred in the late 20th and early 21st centuries, with Italy moving towards regulated and structured gambling, particularly online. This shift was driven by the government's recognition of the revenue potential and the need to curb illegal gambling activities.

This era witnessed the progressive liberalization of the best new casino gambling laws in Italy, beginning in the 2000s, allowing for licensed online and offline gambling operations. The AAMS (Autonomous Administration of State Monopolies) played a crucial role in regulating these activities. In 2011, Italy's gambling market expanded significantly with its opening to foreign online operators, in compliance with European Union directives.

Italy's gambling landscape is vibrant and diverse today, encompassing traditional casinos and an online crypto casino sector. The online gambling industry has grown substantially, offering various games like poker, sports betting, slots, and lotteries.

As Italy's market adapts to technological advances and evolving regulatory frameworks, it retains its historical roots while embracing contemporary gambling trends.

Gambling Taxes in Italy

Gambling taxation in Italy is characterized by a complex structure with varying rates depending on the type of gambling activity. As of recent updates, retail betting revenue in Italy faces a tax rate of 20%, increased from 18%, while online gambling revenue has seen a tax rate increase from 22% to 24%​​.

Moreover, the licensing of online casinos in Italy requires a fee of EUR 350,000 to the ADM (Agenzia delle Dogane e dei Monopoli), along with annual taxes on gross profit ranging from 3% to 20%. Additionally, the casino company must pay an income tax of 27.5%​​.

The Italian real-money casino market has significantly contributed to the country's revenue.. In 2022, Italy's gambling industry impressively generated around €19.6 billion in gross gaming revenue, primarily driven by online gambling.

This boom resulted in the Italian government receiving over €11 billion in tax revenues, marking a 28% increase from previous years, highlighting the sector's significant economic impact.

Top 5 best online casinos in Italy

Italy's top 5 online casinos showcase a blend of traditional and modern gaming. They offer various Italian and international games in luxurious settings, with high-quality graphics and advanced security. These casinos are a testament to Italy's rich gambling history and technological advancement.

#1 Sportaza

Known for its diverse range of casino games, Sportaza stands out in the Italy casino industry with its user-friendly interface and extensive selection of slots and live dealer games.

#2 Rabona

Rabona is recognized in the Italian casino market for its innovative gaming experience, offering a unique collection of slots, table games, and immersive live casino options.

#3 22Bet

Popular in Italy for its comprehensive casino offerings, 22Bet provides players with various casino games, including numerous slots, table games, and a robust live casino section.

#4 1xBet

1XBet distinguishes itself in the Italian casino industry with its vast selection of casino games, featuring an impressive assortment of slots, live dealer games, and diverse table game options.

#5 Megapari

Megapari is noted in the Italian casino scene for its extensive game library, offering many slots, table games, and live dealer experiences, appealing to a wide range of casino enthusiasts.

The best casinos in Italy: Comparison

Do you want to join an online casino from Italy and find it hard to find which one suits your needs? The table below places the best of the best online casinos side by side to make the choice easy for you.

Casino	Welcome Bonus	Games Available	Live Games	Minimum Deposit (€)	Withdrawal Time
	100% up to €500 + 200 Free Spins	4,000+	200+	€10	Up to 48 hours
	100% up to €500 + 100 Free Spins	3,000+	250+	€10	Up to 24 hours
	100% up to €122	5,000+	150+	€1	Up to 24 hours
	100% up to €100 + 30 Free Spins	4,000+	200+	€1	Up to 24 hours
	100% up to €1,000 + 150 Free Spins	4,500+	300+	€1	Up to 48 hours

Main Provisions of the Italian Gambling Act

The Italian gambling sector has recently undergone significant reforms, marking the most extensive transformation in the last thirty years. These changes are designed to reorganize the existing provisions while maintaining the current licensing system based on State concessions. The main provisions of the Gambling Laws and Regulations in Italy can be summarized as follows:

Licensing System

Online gambling in Italy is regulated through a local licensing regime. Operators must hold an Italian remote gambling license to allow customers to participate in their remote gambling activities.

Licenses are provided on a “first come, first served” basis and are issued occasionally by the Customs and Monopolies Agency (ADM). The existing gambling licenses have been granted until December 31st, 2024.

Government Authority

The Italian government is delegated to reorganize the gambling sector provisions. This includes protecting vulnerable individuals, preventing gambling addiction, and determining the geographic locations of free game casinos, shops, and halls.

It also includes setting KYC requirements for license holders, managing conflicts in relationships with license holders, and defining the applicable tax regime. They also outline the qualifications and responsibilities of certification bodies for amusement machines.

Protection of Minors and Prevention of Illegal Gambling

The reform introduces measures to safeguard vulnerable individuals and mitigate issues of gambling disorders and underage gambling. These measures include

• Reducing play and winning limits
• Mandating continuous training for operators and merchants
• Enhancing self-exclusion tools
• Specifying essential features for gambling halls
• Requiring certification for each gaming machine
• Banning bets on amateur sports events exclusive to minors under 18.

Online gambling operators are only allowed to use physical shops for casinos in Italy without verification and cannot offer remote gambling or payout-associated winnings in these locations.

The Most Popular Casino Games in Italy

The most popular casino games in 2024 on new casinos in Italy include diverse choices. Slot machines top the list, offering a variety of game features and bonuses, with titles like Burning Ice 10 and Buffalo Trail Lite being particularly favored.

Blackjack, a classic card game, is also widely played and known for its simple yet strategic gameplay. Video poker, blending traditional poker and slot mechanics, is another favorite, with versions like Jacks or Better and Deuces Wild offering unique bonus rounds and game features.

These games showcase the varied gambling preferences in Italy, combining elements of chance and skill.

The Most Famous Casino Players in Italy

Italy's 1 Euro casinos landscape has emerged as a stage for spectacular successes in recent years. This vibrant sector of Italian entertainment has seen players amassing a staggering $124,678,279 from 20,683 victories over the past five years, with an average winning sum of approximately $6,028.

Among these victors, Stefano D. stands out with a remarkable coup, pocketing €1,336,850 from Millionaires Lane at Europa Casino on January 28, 2009. This progressive slot game proved exceptionally fortunate for Stefano, who clinched a hefty €389,240 from Bonus Bears on January 23, 2009, at the same establishment.

Adding to the roster of Italy's casino elite is Francesco Marzano, better known as TheRealMarzaa. Originally a star in mobile casinos in Italy, TheRealMarzaa has seamlessly transitioned into the world of live online casino gaming. His expertise spans popular games like Roulette and Blackjack, as well as slot games, including Gates of Valhalla and Book of Dead.

With a commanding social media presence, TheRealMarzaa boasts over 835,000 Twitch followers, over 96,000 on TikTok live, and upwards of 260,000 on Instagram. His engaging and dynamic content has captured the attention of a vast audience, with some of his most captivating casino streams attracting over 200,000 views in under a week. This underscores his prominent status and influence within the online casino streaming community.

Future of Online Casinos in Italy

The Italian online casino market is robustly growing, projected to reach about $31.46 billion by 2028 from $22.98 billion in 2022. This growth is fueled by rising online engagement, smartphone usage, and supportive government reforms.

The online gaming segment, especially iGaming and iSports, is the fastest-growing, with trends like VR/AR gaming and esports appealing to younger audiences.

However, the market faces challenges such as competition from unlicensed operators, online casinos accepting players from Italy, and various economic and socio-political factors. Despite these hurdles, the Italian online casino market is poised for expansion, supported by innovative trends, regulatory backing, and evolving player preferences.