Italian online casino market up 14.6% in July as sports betting falters

Italian online casino revenues grew by 14.6% year-on-year during July to over €64.4m (£59.6m), according to new figures released by the Italian regulator Agenzia Dogane Monopoli (ADM).

Pokerstars led the casino market with a 10.58% market share while Lottomatica was hot on its heels with an 8.26% market share. Sisal and 888 commanded 7.91% and 6.93% market shares respectively.

Online poker revenues continued to decline during July, with tournament poker revenues falling 11.1% YoY to €5.3m and cash game revenues declining by 6.6% YoY to €4.4m.

Pokerstars continued its dominance of the Italian online poker market during July, commanding a 61.64% market share, far ahead of its nearest competitor Sisal with 7.66% market share and Snaitech with 7.06%.

Overall Italian sports betting revenues fell 16.6% YoY during July to €95.3m (£88.2m), thanks largely due to the absence of the FiFA World Cup from competition schedules. Land-based sports betting revenues fell by 23.4% YoY during July to €48.1m, with online sports betting revenues dropping by 8.3% in the same period to €47.2m (£43.6m).

Elsewhere, the ban on gambling advertising in Italy could be on shaky ground following reports that Italy’s coalition government may be on the brink of collapse. It follows a disagreement between the two coalition parties over the election of the new European Commission president.

According to Reuters, representatives from Legia Nord voted against the appointment of the favourite Ursula von der Leyen, while its coalition partners 5-Star voted decisively for the appointment.

Legia Nord leader and Italian Deputy Prime Minister Matteo Salvini accused his opposite number Deputy Prime Minister Luigi Di Maio of betraying Italian voters.

“If there is no further point in continuing with this government, then we will head to elections,” Salvini told Reuters.