Italy budget bill raises slot tax, doubles stakes and extends land-based concessions to 2029

Italy’s 2027 budget bill sends a fairly blunt signal to the retail gambling market: higher machine taxes, higher slot limits, and longer concessions. For land-based operators and their PSPs, the important part is not the political choreography but the mechanics — the bill shifts more of the burden onto retail while leaving online gambling untouched.

1. The certified text now heading to parliament raises the PREU machine levy on slots (AWP) from 24% to 25% from 1 January 2027, and on video lottery terminals (VLT) from 8.6% to 9.6%. Slots paying out at least 70% in prizes would get a reduced 20% rate. At the same time, the maximum stake per slot game doubles from €1 to €2, and the maximum prize from €100 to €200.
2. According to the bill’s technical estimates, the measures are expected to bring in about €952m in 2027. Italian Gaming News says the biggest components are €334m from the PREU increase, €281m from concession extensions and €188m from scratch cards. The technical report puts the PREU rise and concession extensions alone at nearly €2bn over 2027–2029, assuming slot takings rise by about 30% under the new stake limits.
3. Betting, slot, VLT and bingo concessions, which were due to expire on 31 December 2026, are extended to the end of 2029. Betting shops will pay €14,250 a year per right where gambling is the main business, and €8,550 where it is secondary. Slot and VLT network concessionaires will pay €150 per slot permit and €7,500 per VLT right for the full extension period. Bingo halls face monthly fees of between €6,500 and €14,500, linked to each hall’s card sales.
4. The Gratta e Vinci scratch-card concession is extended to 2029 for €188m, and Lotto and SuperEnalotto gain an extra weekly draw. The bill also creates a licensing regime for esports and LAN gaming halls offering skill games without cash prizes. Those halls will need ADM authorisation, with fees of €200 per device, €1,000 per hall and €10,000 per online platform. Betting of any kind is banned in these venues.
5. There is no new levy on online gambling and no change to the lottery commission (aggio), which confirms the expectation that retail will bear most of the burden. Earlier reports had suggested the contribution could fall on lotteries and online instead. The bill also includes a settlement scheme for long-running disputes over a 2015 levy on slot machines, which could add €71.62m if all parties take part.

The draft now goes to the Chamber of Deputies, where hearings are expected to start around 5 Novem.