A Law Decree included in Italy’s emergency measures to combat the effects of Covid-19 earlier this year includes a new tax on gaming that will benefit sports, many of which didn’t happen due to the pandemic.
The new tax specifically targets sports betting in all forms, including online wagering. The 0.5 percent tax is on the existing sports betting tax, and will be in effect until the end of next year. It is capped at €40 million for 2020 and €50 million for 2021.
Like a similar tax in France, it will help directly fund sports such as football. Critics note that such a tax was being talked about long before the pandemic forced a lockdown in Italy, which was one of the hardest hit nations.
Italy’s gaming regulator ADM has given notice to the country’s licensed operators of when the tax will be introduced.
Some operators fear that the tax will be applied retroactively.
