Italy's draft 2027 Budget would double the maximum stake and prize permitted on certain cash-paying slot machines, adding a change to game limits alongside proposed tax measures for the land-based sector.
The maximum cost of a play would rise from €1 to €2 ($2.23), while the top prize from an eligible machine would increase from €100 to €200. These are proposals in the Budget bill. The limits in force have not changed, and Parliament must approve the legislation before the new caps can apply.
The bill also revises the single tax levy on gaming machines from 1 January 2027. ANSA reported that the proposed rate would be 25% of stakes for slots and 9.6% for another category of machines covered by the rules.
A 20% rate would apply instead to slots programmed to return at least 70% of stakes as prizes.
The distinction between the standard and reduced slot rates makes the payout setting relevant to concessionaires' tax bills.
The draft does not by itself establish how many existing machines could meet the higher payout threshold or how operators would respond to the new limits.
Another provision addresses an unresolved 2015 contribution imposed on gaming concessionaires. The original requirement totalled €500m, with €89.47m still outstanding according to the bill's technical report cited by ANSA.
Article 32 would let eligible operators settle that residual debt at a discount of up to €17.85m in aggregate and without interest. To qualify, concessionaires would need to withdraw existing litigation over the contribution and agree not to bring new claims.
The reduction would depend on the share of each operator's original debt already paid.
The measures come as Italy continues to rely on extensions of land-based gambling concessions while a wider reorganisation of the sector remains delayed.
Parliament may amend the Budget before its final vote. The new stake, prize and tax figures therefore remain subject to the legislative process.
Italy's proposed gaming tax rise and paid concession extensions were covered on 29 October as part of a wider European budget review. The stake and prize provisions add another potential change for the country's machine operators.
Italy's existing minimum payout requirement for amusement with prizes machines has been 65% of stakes since January 2020
