Purpose and Background
Until 2006, Italian gambling law imposed strict restrictions, prohibiting gambling in private clubs as well as public places. Subsequent amendments opened land-based gambling services to operators from the European Union (EU). In 2010, the Italian government introduced legislation giving people in Italy access to casino websites located in EU member states.
Licences
AAMS licences cover casino gaming, sports betting, horse racing, bingo and poker. Licence holders have continuing obligations to remain in good standing. Online casino businesses must arrange regular game testing and audits. They are also expected to meet annual revenue and capital requirements, and the number of licences is capped at 200.
After legislative changes, operators based in the EU, EFTA or offshore jurisdictions may apply for an Italian gaming licence. Once AAMS receives the required documents, the review may take up to three months.
If an application is accepted, a licence is issued, but the operator must complete a separate authorization process before it takes effect. This requires certification of the website and games by a certification body accredited by AAMS.
AAMS internet licences last nine years and allow operators to add other gaming products under the same licence. Possible additions include:
- Lotto and related games
- Instant and deferred-draw lotteries
- National numeric pari-mutuel games
- Selected card games, including poker
- Games linked to horse races or sporting events
Player Protection
AAMS rules include measures intended to protect players. To open an account with an AAMS-licensed casino, a player must enter into a contract and provide personal details
such as their name, home address and tax code. The casino may also request a copy of the player’s identity card. This information is required to help prevent people under 18 from accessing gambling services.
To safeguard customers’ details and money, AAMS requires online casinos to connect to it through SOGEI. The system lets the authority record, track, validate and tax each bet, wager and stake. Gambling sites must also meet AAMS standards, and its technology partner SOGEI periodically checks operators’ software against specified requirements.
AAMS reviews player grievances and may take steps to address them. It usually first asks players to raise the issue directly with the casino and try to resolve it there.
If direct discussions do not resolve a dispute, players can file a complaint with AAMS through its Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) Service. The complaint is sent to the
Amministrazione autonoma dei monopoli di Stato. The source cautions that AAMS may not respond personally to every report. However, if it finds that a casino is acting unfairly or with criminal intent, it may intervene to stop the conduct.
Advantages and Limitations
The source describes AAMS as a trusted regulator of online casinos in Italy and says it has taken a firm stance when licensees breach their agreements. Non-compliance can lead to penalties, potentially including fines and criminal charges, along with other consequences.
Such enforcement is intended to promote fair and transparent play. AAMS applies demanding financial standards to online casinos to help protect players’ money.
One limitation is AAMS’s cap of 200 licences at any given time. Operators based outside Italy may also find it more difficult to obtain a licence.
Anyone considering an online casino based in Italy should check whether it holds a licence from the Amministrazione autonoma dei monopoli di Stato. The article presents an AAMS licence as a way to support player safeguards and fair play in its casino games; these claims relate to Italy’s regulatory framework.
