Many thanks to the authors of the site allbetsites.orgwe were able to publish this interesting article. It is known that baccarat was born in Italy in the 15th century, and the game of bingo also has Italian origins. In fact, Italians played “Lo Giuoco del Lotto d’Italia,” which was similar to bingo, as early as the 1530s. In addition, the word “casino” comes precisely from this country.
Entertainment 24, with the support of Cosmolot, continues to inform its readers about how the gambling industry works in different countries around the world. And today we will talk about the peculiarities of gambling in Italy.
Gambling legislation in Italy is very different from the laws in other EU countries. The legislation has created favorable conditions for the success of operators, both land-based and online.
To learn more about the gambling sector in Italy, you can read this detailed article.
History of the development of gambling in Italy
The history of gambling in Italy dates back to the Roman Empire, when Ludus Duodecim Scriptorum, the predecessor of the modern table game, was very popular among Roman legionnaires.
The first public casino in Italy opened in Venice in 1638. At that time, the wing of the Palazzo Dandolo in Venice was converted into the Ridotto Casino by order of the city’s rulers. The word “casino” itself has Italian origins: the root “casa” means house.
The Redoubt was owned by the government with the aim of controlling citizens’ gambling activities. Entry to the casino was free, but this form of entertainment was only available to the upper class. This was because there was a formal dress code and too much was at stake. The most popular games were Biribi, a roulette-like game in which small amounts were wagered, and Bassetta, a gambling card game intended for those of higher status because of the large losses or wins that players could achieve.
The closure of the Redoubt in 1774 led to an increase in the popularity of closed casinos. These events marked the beginning of the regulation of gambling in Italy. Today there is once again a casino called Casino di Venezia in the building of the first Italian casino. It has more than 600 slot machines and offers table games such as Blackjack and Texas Hold’em. The Venice Casino also hosts the World Poker Tour tournament during the Venice Carnival.
Gambling laws in Italy
According to Italian criminal law, gambling is illegal regardless of whether it takes place in public places or in private clubs. However, there is a difference between gambling and games where the outcome depends on the player’s skill. Therefore, it can be said that virtually all gambling products are legally permitted and strictly regulated. In particular, the most popular forms of gambling have been given legal status:
- Casino;
- sports betting;
- Run;
- Bingo;
- Lottery.
This allows Italian players to choose from a wide range of gambling games. The casinos offer all the classic games: roulette, blackjack, baccarat, poker and even a 17th century French card game popular with locals. The minimum age to participate in gambling in Italian casinos is 18 years and a valid photo ID is required.
In order to comply with the quality standards set by the state, gambling operators must comply with strict requirements. And all arcades must be approved by the Customs and Monopolies Authority – the regulatory body in Italy.
Casinos are subject to a flat 20% tax on all regulated games. Other forms of gambling such as sports and racing betting, games of skill and lotteries are subject to a sales tax of 3%. In addition, the Italian government only taxes the company’s profit, not the total turnover, as in other countries, and requires that gambling products guarantee a payout of at least 90% of the total turnover.
Gambling laws in Italy also provide for poker tournaments where the maximum buy-in is capped at 250 euros. Violations of the law can result in fines and even prison sentences.
There are currently at least 37 land-based arcades in 15 cities in Italy. Of these, ten are located in Milan and serve both tourists and locals. An interesting fact is that there is no casino in Rome, the capital of Italy.
For more information on gambling in Italy, see the institutional website of the Customs and Monopolies Authority:
Online gambling
Like everywhere else in the world, the world of online betting is becoming increasingly popular in Italy. Italian online gambling laws allow different types of casino games. Any adult can take part in online games. Nowadays, almost all major forms of online gaming are legal in Italy, meaning everyone can find the perfect game for their taste. In particular, the following games are available:
- slot machines; blackjack; Roulette; video poker; baccarat; live dealer games; Casino Hold’em; craps; Caribbean Stud Poker; three card poker; Pai Gow Poker; Sic Bo.
However, to enter the market, a gambling company must have achieved a turnover of at least 1,500,000 euros in the last two years and operate gambling products in Europe. The management of online games is entrusted to the Customs and Monopolies Authority, which is headed by the Ministry of Economy and Finance. Therefore, the operators have to pay an advance of 350,000 euros to the regulatory authority.
