Since it has been around for centuries, gambling has evolved significantly in Italy. Its origins can be traced back to the time of the Roman Empire when Roman legionnaires began to play Ludus Duodecim Scriptorum, the forerunner of modern backgammon. They are also responsible for the game’s introduction to other European nations.
Duodecim Scriptorum Ludus
In 1638, the first Italian national casino App, “Ridotto,” opened in Venice. It was approved by the government to limit citizens’ gambling behaviour. Although there was no charge to enter the casino, only wealthy people could afford to play there due to the high stakes. Bassett and Biribi, a game that resembles a modern lottery, were played. The house edge in both games was extremely high. When “Ridotto” was shut down in 1774, the popularity of the now-closed gambling clubs increased. These establishments were known as “casinos,” and the word “casino” has Italian antecedents.
In the fifteenth century, bingo and baccarat were invented in Italy. A bingo-like game called “Lo Giuoco del Lotto D’Italia” was played by Italians in the 1530s.
law on gambling
Gambling is prohibited by Italian law, regardless of whether it takes place in a public space or a private club. However, there is a distinction between games where the outcome is determined by chance and games where the player’s skill determines the outcome. Lotteries, sports betting, and other gambling-related activities are considered legal and regulated forms of entertainment.
The State alone has the authority to permit gambling. The power to grant licences and control other aspects of gambling is given to AAMS. Fines and incarceration are both possible penalties for breaking the law.
Italy has come a long way from outright banning all forms of gambling to allowing some of them in certain circumstances. The primary justification The Italian national casino government has abided by strict regulations to prevent any potential adverse effects related to the industry. In 2006, the market was liberalized by the following changes:
legalizing online betting exchanges and skill games for real money
Italian national casino gambling operators will now have access to the EU and EFTA markets (on the condition they meet specific requirements). The launch of a new licence tender was intended to reorganize the network of brick-and-mortar betting shops while also giving online gaming operators opportunities to provide their services on a legal basis.
Another critical turning point in Italy’s gambling legislation was the Finance Act of 2007. It made skill-based card games legal and stipulated that they must be played as tournaments with stakes equal to the entry fee. It effectively made Texas Hold’em poker legal. Other variations and video poker games with the same rules were outlawed for relying solely on luck.
Comunitaria
The “Comunitaria” decree (February 2011) represented a significant advancement for the Italian gambling sector. It established rules for real money poker and Italian national casino games and anchored amendments to the decree’s earlier iteration. The new tax system, which was based on profits rather than turnover, was one of its most notable features. Except for video lottery games, a flat rate of 20% was imposed on all newly legalized games. Operators running lotteries, skill games. And sports and horse betting were still required to pay 3% of all sold tournament buy-ins.
The new law also required operators to return at least 90% of players’ bets as winnings. A poker tournament’s maximum buy-in was set at a minimum initial wager of €250. And a maximum initial wager of €1,000 per gaming session.
Internet gaming
The European Commission began an investigation into the case and infringement proceedings against Italy in 2006 due to complaints it had received in 2003. Which is gradually began to liberalize the Italian national casino online gambling market. A stringent Italian law that forbade even reputable European gambling operators from providing their online services in Italy was the cause of this action.
Sports betting was only permitted to be organized offline and online by the Italian National Olympic Committee (CONI) and the National Horse Breeders Enhancement Society (UNIRE). Other operators’ websites were blocked to prevent Italians from accessing them.
