The Provincial Command of the Guardia di Finanza, working alongside Italy’s Customs and Monopolies Agency (ADM), conducted 20 inspections in Turin, identifying multiple breaches in the management of gaming machines.
A key intervention focused on three bars in the Barriera di Milano district, where officers discovered seven illegally installed slot machines. The machines were not connected to the ADM’s required telematic monitoring system and lacked the necessary licences.
Investigations uncovered unpaid duties and resulted in related penalties totalling more than €6m ($6.9m), including €1.83m in unpaid PREU (Single Gaming Tax), as well as €4.41m in fines and interest.
The case highlights how significant financial losses can occur for the state from a relatively small number of machines operated outside of the regulatory framework.
Investigators also found that the gaming boards inside the machines did not comply with technical standards, and the inspection suggested deliberate tampering.
Additional penalties of €255,000 were imposed for labour violations, including the employment of undeclared workers and improper cash payments.
Italy is currently undergoing a significant regulatory overhaul. The Guidance Act on Fiscal Policy and Tax Administration for 2026-2028 was presented by Economy Minister Giorgetti. It includes initiatives to strengthen efforts against fraud in the gambling sector.
The Government is moving forward with a reorganisation of land-based gambling network. The regulator ADM has drafted a regulatory proposal to restructure the sector, though its details are still under review.
The ADM also proposed updates to the country's online gambling framework during an open hearing that focused on live gaming and technical standards.
The Italian communications regulator Agcom has approved a new set of guidelines governing responsible gambling advertising
