Wednesday, Dec. 20, 2006

• Email
• Print

Italy to auction 17,000 online gambling licenses

By Erin Warner

Gaming firms are eager to get their hands on the estimated 17,000 new online gambling licenses being offered by the Italian government.

Italy is to auction the licenses to previously banned online poker rooms, casinos and sportsbooks.

Gambling operators Betfair and William Hill are reportedly in the mix of companies looking to set up shop in the country as the gaming industry expands its European-facing business following stiff new U.S. regulations.

In the past, Italy has favored a protectionist approach to offshore licenses in an effort to promote its existing gambling and lottery market. The new system, however, reflects a policy of regulation and taxation on the country's gaming industry.

As each European Union member nation struggles with adopting its own gambling legislation, the European Commission is looking to conform policy among the countries to create a fair playing field.

Related Articles:

Italy Poised to Allow Online Gambling Companies
Italian Government Embroiled in Legal Dispute
Germany Considers Online Gambling Ban

More News

• Online poker in Obama's book
• iMEGA fights Minnesota block
• Frank reveals online gambling legislation
• Gowen lawsuit tilts
• Poker sites on Minnesota block list
• Minnesota attacks online gambling
• California inching towards legal online poker
• Internet groups defend gambling domains