Best Bookmakers in Italy - Ranked for 2025
Italy betting sites have witnessed a remarkable transformation in recent years. With the Italian government opening its doors to international operators, the betting sites in Italy have flourished, offering a plethora of options for sports enthusiasts. If you're an Italian resident or player, selecting the best bookmaker in Italy is essential for a rewarding experience.
In this guide, we'll explore the key aspects of Italian betting sites to help you make an informed choice, including the legality of sports betting in Italy and the availability of popular payment methods on Italian betting sites.
|
Country |
Italy |
|
Language |
Italian |
|
Currency |
Euro (€) |
|
Popular sports |
Football, Volleyball, Basketball, Water Polo |
|
Is Betting Legal |
Yes |
|
Regulator |
|
|
Gambling taxes |
0.5% |
|
Payment methods |
Mastercard, VISA, NETELLER, PayPal, Skrill, Trustly, Paysafecard |
1. The Evolution of Online Gambling in Italy
The fascinating truth about Italy sports betting:
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With the legalization of online betting in 2006, the Italian sports betting industry has witnessed a substantial surge. While physical betting shops have long been a common sight across the country, the online betting sector is experiencing exponential growth, making it a prominent choice for Italian gamblers.
Italy betting sites experienced a significant shift before and after 2006. Prior to that year, Italy had stringent regulations in place, blacklisting over 500 online bookmakers, leaving only two state-backed monopolies. However, the landscape changed when the European Union initiated infringement proceedings against Italy for its prohibition of non-Italian bookmakers. This led to the introduction of a decree in 2006, marking the beginning of a more open and liberalized betting market.
Over the years, Italy has continued to open its doors to licensed betting sites, and in March 2010, the online betting market became regulated with the enforcement of the current legislative framework. International bookmakers received the green light to operate legally, provided they obtained licenses issued by the Agenzia delle Dogane e dei Monopoli (ADM). Some of the most popular licensed sportsbooks in Italy include Snai, Bet365, Planetwin365, and Sisal.
Despite the availability of licensed options, many Italian bettors still favor non-licensed international bookies. These non-licensed operators often offer a broader range of sports, higher odds, and more extensive betting markets.
Italy's journey in the world of online betting has made significant progress, with a growing number of online betting sites in Italy, both local and international, now offering top-notch services, comparable to those found in the United Kingdom.
2. Online Betting Law in Italy
The landscape of online betting in Italy has seen a remarkable evolution over the years. In the early 2000s, the betting market was dominated by two state-backed monopoly operators, the Italian National Olympic Committee (CONI) and the National Horse Breeders Enhancement Society (UNIRE). These two entities had exclusive rights to offer both online and offline sports betting.
At that time, Italy blacklisted and blocked non-Italian bookmakers, but this changed in 2006 with Ministerial Decree no. 111, allowing EU-based foreign operators. In 2007, online betting was officially legalized, and regulatory amendments were reported to the European Commission in 2009.
The legislative framework, which still governs online betting in Italy today, was fully implemented in March 2010. This framework allows international bookmakers to operate within the Italian market, provided they obtain a license from the Amministrazione Autonoma dei Monopoli di Stato (AAMS).
It's important to note that, with the Decree Law no. 135 of 7 August 2012, effective from December 1, 2012, the AAMS was incorporated into the Agenzia delle Dogane e dei Monopoli (ADM). To this day, the ADM remains the sole licensing authority and gambling regulator in Italy, overseeing the operations of both domestic and international betting providers.
2.1. Legal Italian Betting Sites
The Italian betting scene operates under the watchful eye of the Agenzia delle Dogane e dei Monopoli, the licensing authority that regulates the industry. Italian betting companies must obtain a license to operate legally. To do so, online operators pay a one-time €200,000 fee and commit to a 24% tax on their gross gaming revenue (GGR). This license is typically valid for nine years and allows operators to use a .it domain, signaling their compliance with Italian regulations.
A critical requirement is that these operators establish a physical presence within the European Union or the European Economic Area to qualify for an Italian license, aligning their operations with broader European standards.
2.2. Unlicensed Bookmakers in Italy
Despite stringent regulations stipulating that betting with non-AAMS licensed bookmakers is illegal and may incur fines, Italian players have continued to engage with these operators.
While the government has attempted to limit the influence of unlicensed bookies through measures like the Dignity Decree, which banned gambling-related advertising, popular Italian betting sites such as LSbet Italia, Betrebels Italia, and Betwinner Italia still cater to punters, offering competitive odds and an extensive selection of Serie A markets.
In the realm of Italy betting sites, these unlicensed bookmakers provide alternatives for Italian bettors, reflecting the nation's unique landscape of choice and opportunity.
6 Main Things to Know:
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The minimum age for legal gambling in Italy is 18 years.
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Approximately 25% of the Italian population engages in either online or offline gambling activities on a weekly basis.
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Despite the illegality of wagering on unlicensed platforms, players have not faced legal consequences for their actions.
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Individuals are not required to pay taxes on their earnings from betting activities.
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Licensed operators are obligated to pay a 24% tax on their Gross Gaming Revenue (GGR).
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The law enforces a €1 minimum bet and caps winnings from fixed odds bets at €50,000 (or £44,320).
3. Popular Payment Methods for Italian Bettor
Italian bettors have a wealth of payment options when it comes to managing their funds on Italy betting sites. Debit and credit cards from Mastercard and Visa are commonly used for their simplicity and widespread acceptance. E-wallet platforms like NETELLER, PayPal, and Skrill are also popular, offering secure and efficient transactions.
For those seeking alternatives, Trustly and Paysafecard are widely accepted on many betting sites in Italy. An advantage for Italian bettors is that the national currency, the euro, is universally used, eliminating the need for currency conversion.
here's a table with more specific information regarding the popular payment methods for Italian bettors:
|
Payment Method |
Deposit Speed |
Withdrawal Speed |
Transaction Fee |
|
VISA |
Instant to a few hours |
1-3 business days |
May apply, check with your bank |
|
Mastercard |
Instant to a few hours |
1-3 business days |
May apply, check with your bank |
|
NETELLER |
Instant |
1-2 business days |
No Fee |
|
PayPal |
Instant |
1-2 business days |
No Fee |
|
Skrill |
Instant |
1-2 business days |
No Fee |
|
Trustly |
Instant |
1-2 business days |
No Fee |
|
Paysafecard |
Instant |
Not available |
No Fee |
Note: Please keep in mind that specific deposit and withdrawal times, as well as transaction fees, can vary depending on the policies of the betting site and the payment method used. It's essential to consult the chosen betting site for precise details.
Italy's betting sites have embraced a more open and diverse landscape. Italian bettors can enjoy a variety of options with easy-to-use payment methods, a tax-free environment, and a wide range of markets.
Whether you prefer traditional sports or unique wagering opportunities, Italy's betting scene has something for everyone. It's an exciting and potentially rewarding space for all bettors, combining tradition and innovation. So, dive into Italy's betting sites, stay informed, and enjoy the journey.