Purpose and Background
Until 2006, Italian gambling law imposed strict restrictions, prohibiting gambling in private clubs as well as public places. Later amendments opened land-based gambling services to operators from the European Union (EU). In 2010, the Italian government introduced legislation giving people in Italy access to casino websites based in EU member states.
Licences
AAMS licences cover casino play, sports wagering, horse racing, bingo and poker. Licence holders must meet ongoing obligations to remain in good standing. Online casino operators must arrange regular game testing and audits. They are also expected to meet annual revenue and capital requirements, and the number of licences is capped at 200.
After legislative changes, operators based in the EU, EFTA or offshore jurisdictions may apply for an Italian gaming licence. Once AAMS receives the required paperwork, its review may take up to three months.
An accepted application results in a licence, but a separate authorization process must be completed before it takes effect. The website and games must be certified by a certification body accredited by AAMS.
AAMS internet licences last nine years and allow operators to add other gaming products under the same licence. Possible additions include:
- Lotto and related games
- Instant and deferred-draw lotteries
- National numeric pari-mutuel games
- Selected card games, including poker
- Games linked to horse races or sporting events
Player Protection
AAMS rules include measures intended to protect players. To open an account with an AAMS-licensed casino, players must enter into a contract and provide personal information
such as their name, home address and tax code. A casino may also request a copy of the player’s identity card. This information is required to help prevent people under 18 from accessing the service.
To protect customer information and money, AAMS requires online casinos to connect to it through SOGEI. The system enables the authority to record, track, validate and tax each bet, wager and stake. Gambling sites must also meet AAMS standards, and its technology partner SOGEI periodically checks operators’ software against specified requirements.
AAMS considers player complaints and may work to resolve them. Its usual first step is to ask players to contact the casino directly and try to settle the matter there.
If direct discussions fail to resolve a dispute, players can submit a complaint to AAMS through its Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) Service. The complaint is sent to the
Amministrazione autonoma dei monopoli di Stato. AAMS may not personally respond to every report. However, if it finds that a casino is acting unfairly or with criminal intent, it may intervene to stop the conduct.
Advantages and Limitations
AAMS is described as a trusted regulator of online casinos in Italy, with a firm approach to licensees that breach their agreements. Non-compliance can lead to penalties, potentially including fines and criminal charges, as well as other consequences.
This enforcement is intended to promote fair, transparent play. AAMS applies demanding financial standards to online casinos to help protect player funds.
One limitation is AAMS’s cap of 200 licences at a time. Operators based outside Italy may also find it more difficult to obtain a licence.
Anyone considering an Italy-based online casino should check whether it holds a licence from the Amministrazione autonoma dei monopoli di Stato. An AAMS licence is presented as supporting player safeguards and fair play for its casino games; these claims relate to Italy’s regulatory framework.
