With a final approval deadline just weeks away at the end of December, it now appears likely that the current version of the Italian Stability Bill will be approved for implementation early next year.
This week the national Budget Committee cleared the proposal in one of its final hurdles, opening the way for approval by the Chamber of Deputies where it is due for tabling this week.
If the bill stays on track, that could see new taxes coming into effect on January 1 2016. The changes include a higher 22 percent tax rate for online sports betting operators, but on GGR instead of turnover. Their land-based equivalents will pay a lower rate of 18 percent to protect that sector of the industry.
Online casino, poker and bingo operators will face a 20 percent tax rate, again on revenue.
The Stability Bill also makes provision for a more regulated and controlled marketing environment in gambling, banning advertising between 7am and 10pm on both television and radio stations