AAMS issues slots authorisations; completes Customs Authority merger
Italian gaming regulator completes move on same day as issuing of online slots authorisations.
Italian regulatory authority AAMS has authorised a number of egaming operators to offer online slots in the market for the first time.
The move comes as the regulator completes its merger with the country’s Customs Authority (L’Agenzia delle Dogane) as part of a cost-cutting measure first announced in June.
Among those to receive approval today are 32Red, which moved online with dot.it casino table games last week, and 888. The majority of operators are expected to receive the green light today, the first of two dates earmarked for the issuing of authorisations, with a smaller number to be approved two weeks from now.
eGaming Review understands that all major operators have been successful in their pursuit of authorisations, which were issued from 7am CET today.
There had been suggestions that the process could be delayed due to pressure from video lottery operators, however last month’s amnesty on totems is believed to have played a part in ensuring there was no such delay.
According to eGR‘s data partner H2 Gambling Capital, the Italian online casino market is anticipated to increase in size by two to four times from its current GGR rate of 100m per year, due in part to the introduction of slots.
The current market leaders for casino table games are Lottomatica, with 21.2% market share, bwin Italia (8.7%) and Snai (8.6%).