CalvinAyre.com says – Italy, like France limits operators to their jurisdiction. Italy doesn’t have the same crushing tax regime as France but it’s incredibly high considering the other more favorable options available for online gambling companies.
A betting exchange decree was approved towards the end of May to allow exchanges to takes bets. The high tax rate of 20 percent is likely to put companies that don’t already offer an exchange off from operating one.
To give an indication of how well the gambling industry regulator is thought of, the AAMS was merged with the Custom’s Division in June 2012 in order to cut costs. This happened just after the country decided that slots would be legalized as of Dec 3, 2012.
Until recently, the Italian government hasn’t regulated its online gambling industry. Run out of the capital Rome, the government has made it the responsibility of the AAMS (Amministrazione Autonoma dei Monopoli di Stado – Autonomous Administration of the State Monopolie) to oversee the country’s gambling market.
Tax rates vary depending on the product that is being offered and are as low as 3% for skill gaming and as high as 20% for cash games. Sites must be run on an .it domain and anyone operating outside of the law can expect to receive a heavy penalty. Anyone offering gaming without a license will get between six months and three years in jail. Also any person that organizes, offers and takes remote bets on games regulated by AAMS but outside of their rules is subject to imprisonment lasting from three months up to one year and a fine ranging from €500 to €5000 even if the violator does hold an AAMS license.
Most customers use Italian banks to process payments with a large number also using eWallets and vouchers codes much like those offered by Ukash.
Type of Company Entity Available for iGaming Firms:
Any limited company
Corporation Tax Rate:
27.5%.
Additional Gaming Tax Rate:
- Online casino games: 0.6% of turnover
- Exchange betting: 20% on gross revenues
- Sports betting carries 3.5% tax.
- Horserace betting close to 10%
- Skill-gaming has a flat rate of 3%
- Bingo nearly 11.5%
- Cash games 20%
Security Requirements/Indemnity for Players Deposits:
Every company must be fully linked up to the AAMS via SOGEI so each bet/wager/stake placed can be recorded, monitored, validated and taxed.
License Fee:
One-off fee of €350,000 (plus 20% VAT) payable when issued
License Duration:
12 months
Do Local Banks Process Online Gaming Transactions:
Yes – many prefer to use e-wallets and voucher codes
Software Testing Requirements:
Must comply with AAMS guidelines and will be checked by technological partner SOGEI.
Reporting Requirements to the iGaming Regulators and/or Financial Regulator:
Guidelines are issued by the AAMS
Anti-Money Laundering Policy for iGaming Firms:
Guidelines are issued by the AAMS
Restrictions on Jurisdictions from which you can take Wagers:
Bets must be taken using an .it domain
Contact Details of Government Department or Regulator:
Address: Mastai Square, 11 – 00153 ROMA
Fax: 06 58572200
Website: http://www.aams.gov.it/
Email: [email protected]
