New regulatory model
The online gaming market in Italy saw healthy growth for the year that ended December 31, with year-on-year revenue growth of 31.2 percent, according to gaming regulator Agenzia delle Dogane e dei Monopoli.
According to a report on Publicgaming.com, Italian gaming website AGIMEG says the overall market profited to the tune of €327.5 million (US$364 million) on revenues of €9.4 billion (US$10.5 billion). Sports betting alone saw growth of 19 percent year-on-year €254 million, and the total market was up 28 percent to €5.5 billion.
Online poker was an also-ran, losing 4.2 percent to end at €71.3 million in profits €727 million in total revenue. Online bingo also made a poor showing, and was down 7.1 percent to €25.3 million for the year.
In a crowded field of operators, Lottomatica was No. 1 with 14.7 percent of the market, followed by Sisal at 9.6 percent and William Hill with 8.3 percent. Others in the Top 10 include Snai (6.3 percent); Gala Coral’s Eurobet (6.2 percent); Bwin (5.4 percent); 888 Holdings (4.5 percent); Novomatic’s Greentube-Starvegas (3.3 percent); Winga (2.8 percent); and Paddy Power (2.8 percent), the website reported.
The positive numbers provide “huge validation” for Italy’s overhauled regulatory structure. “It also bodes well for the diversification of regulation and adaptability across all EU markets, which can take the land of the boot as an example when looking at online gambling legislation,” according to the website.
