Giorgia Meloni's government has rejected the final version of the retail gambling reorganisation decree and returned the document to the Ministry of Economy and Finance for revision. Two years of talks between the ministry and the Conference of Regions broke down over minimum distance requirements between gambling venues and sensitive locations.
The prime minister insists on preserving regional distanziometro restrictions — rules that ban premises near schools and other protected sites. The Ministry of Economy had tried to harmonise fragmented regional law, set common standards for distances, operating hours and venue certification. The regions refused to loosen control, citing public health.
Without agreement, new tenders for betting shop, slot and bingo hall concessions are at risk. Previous auctions were challenged in court when operators could not find compliant locations under existing restrictions. The budget impact is direct: the auctions were expected to deliver €1.8–2 billion in upfront licence fees.
The government's fiscal delegation powers expire on 29 August. Even if the Council of Ministers approves the decree, it still needs sign-off from the Conference of Regions and parliamentary committees. Time has almost run out. The cabinet has extended current concessions until 31 December 2026.
Morgan Stanley analysts see another year or two of delay as likely. AGIC, the association representing Flutter Entertainment, Lottomatica, Entain, bet365 and Brightstar, has warned that repeated extensions leave the legal land-based market without long-term certainty for nearly a decade, holding back investment and modernisation.
Meloni is unlikely to reopen talks before the 2027 election. September's priority is the 2027 budget, and no one wants a divisive debate ahead of the campaign. The stalled reform threatens fresh court battles between federal and regional authorities.
