Italy’s gambling regulator, ADM (Agenzia delle Dogane e dei Monopoli), has set a hard stop for operators that didn’t participate or weren’t admitted into the new online gambling licensing round: they must cease all activity by August 17, 2025 and return player funds. Accounts that remain unclaimed for two months will be transferred to the state treasury.
Why this matters: This is the first major enforcement milestone in Italy’s multi-year overhaul of online gambling. While ADM has extended the approval checks for new licences to 12 November 2025, the August 17 exit requirement for non-admitted operators remains in force.
Key Facts at a Glance
- Deadline to cease operations (non-admitted operators): August 17, 2025.
- Player balances: Must be refunded; unclaimed funds after 2 months go to the state.
- Weekly reporting (outgoing operators): Began July 8, 2025; non-compliance can trigger immediate suspension.
- Licensing process extension: ADM will continue checks until 12 November 2025 (was Sept 17).
- Fee & scope: New online licences cost €7m each; 46 applications have initial approva
Background: How We Got Here
Italy’s 2025 reforms reset the online market with higher entry costs, tighter compliance, and a single-domain rule per licence. The regulator approved 46 applications in July and simultaneously introduced strict migration/exit rules for legacy or non-admitted operators to protect consumers.
Although the licensing checks window is extended to 12 November 2025 (to manage procedural complexity), the consumer-protection timetable for those without a path to a new licence is unchanged.
Who Is Affected on August 17?
- Operators that did not apply or failed admission to the new tender.
- Skin/clone sites or brands not compliant with the new single-domain approach.
- Affiliates promoting non-admitted brands (risk of traffic to sites that must shut).
These parties must stop accepting new registrations, notify players, close accounts, and refund balances. Several industry legal notes also outline operational steps (e.g., block new sign-ups by Aug 17; complete account wind-down thereafter).
What Operators Must Do Now (Checklist)
- Disable new registrations and new account openings (by Aug 17).
- Notify all players about the exit and provide clear withdrawal instructions.
- Process refunds of all balances (including bonus cashable elements, if applicable).
- Submit weekly reports to ADM on bank balances and active accounts (Tuesdays).
- Shut down games/platform and finalize account closures on the regulator’s schedule; note that unclaimed funds after two months go to the Treasury.
Note: The Nov 12 extension is for ADM checks/approvals; it doesn’t relax the Aug 17 exit for non-admitted operators.
What Players Should Expect
- Service interruptions on non-admitted sites starting Aug 17.
- Direct communications with instructions to withdraw remaining balances.
- A two-month window to claim funds before they are remitted to the state.
Tip for players: only use ADM-licensed brands. (Italy distinguishes authorised vs unauthorised play; the latter is forbidden.)
Impact on the Market
- Consolidation: The €7m fee and tighter rules reduce the number of active domains/brands, favouring larger, well-capitalised operators.
- Compliance burden: Ongoing reporting and stricter tech/security requirements raise operational standards.
- Affiliates: Must audit all links/brands and remove non-admitted operators immediately to avoid sending traffic to sites exiting the market. (Best practice, not legal advice.)
Timeline: Italy’s 2025 Online Gambling Overhaul
- July 8, 2025: Weekly reporting obligations for outgoing operators begin.
- August 17, 2025: Deadline for non-admitted operators to cease operations and begin refunds.
- September 2025: Original end of legacy regime (with some sources noting a possible admin grace to Sep 30 for transitions).
- November 12, 2025: New ADM approval window ends (extended).
FAQ (Quick Answers)
Is August 17, 2025 the end for all operators?
No. It is the exit date for non-admitted operators. Approved applicants continue through ADM’s checks (now extended to Nov 12, 2025).
What happens to my money if I don’t withdraw?
After two months, unclaimed balances from exiting operators are transferred to the state.
How many operators received initial approval?
46 applications have initial approval under the new regime.
Sources & Further Reading
- iGaming Business: ADM extends approval checks to 12 Nov 2025; overview of new tax and RG duties.
- Yogonet: Italy clears 46 operators; Aug 17 exit and weekly reporting for non-admitted brands.
- SiGMA: Summary of ADM deadlines; Aug 17 obligations and reporting cadence.
- GamblingNews: Unclaimed funds after two months go to the Treasury.