Italy Delays Online Gambling Systems 94 Days, Keeps November Deadline

The Agenzia delle Dogane e dei Monopoli (ADM) confirmed the revised timetable on October 13. According to the regulator’s communication reproduced by AGIMEG, very few certification applications had been submitted by October 7. Completing the process for all affected concessionaires by November was no longer possible.

ADM also cited difficulties with adapting existing technology to the new requirements. The postponement is intended to prevent interruptions to regulated gambling operations and the resulting loss of state revenue.

November Deadline Remains for Platform Suppliers

The revised schedule starts with concessionaires acting as service providers, known as CFS. These companies supply gaming systems to other licensed concessionaires.

By November 13, CFS operators must upload the results of compliance checks for systems supplied to other concessionaires. The date has not changed, even though the overall launch has moved to February.

ADM also gives the same priority to certain platforms not supplied through CFS arrangements. This applies where the concessionaire and the game producer use the same verification body. The regulator identified problems arising when the two parties work with different certification organisations.

The first completed certifications will populate a library of approved gaming platforms. Other concessionaires need access to these components to complete their own certification procedures.

Four Deadlines Before February 15

The new schedule divides the technical transition into four stages:

1. November 13, 2026. Compliance results uploaded for CFS systems; certification completed for other priority platform applications;
2. January 13, 2027. Compliance results uploaded for concessionaires using CFS-supplied systems;
3. February 12, 2027. All technical and functional checks completed;
4. February 15, 2027. Certified concessionaire systems enter production.

These deadlines apply to different stages of certification. Platform suppliers still face the original November deadline, while concessionaires using their systems have until January to submit their compliance results.

The February postponement therefore does not give every participant three extra months. Operators depend on certified platform components, and delays at the supplier stage could affect their own certification schedule.

Delays Could Affect February Launch Readiness

ADM has made clear that concessionaires remain responsible if their systems are not ready to enter production on February 15.

The changes concern more than gaming platforms alone. The technical transition also covers communication protocols, gaming accounts and other components of the concessionaire system.

ADM and its technology partner Sogei will continue supporting the certification process and carrying out the technical-functional checks within their remit.