Several operators headed to the Italian court recently to launch appeals concerning extensions for their expiring licenses. The Lazio TAR Administrative Court has returned its verdict – siding with these operators.
This rules against the ADM Customs and Monopolies Agency, Italy’s gambling regulator and the ones who initially declined to grant extensions to the licenses.
Betway, Nexigames, Snaitech, and Sportpesa all filed separate appeals against the end of their licenses. These licenses were due to expire at the end of October.
ADM had ordered these operators to cease their activities and to comply with the request to halt any online gambling services. The operators were then not given any assurances as to whether or not they would be permitted to apply for extensions.
This decision to not extend any licenses is no doubt connected to an upcoming review from the Italian government. In Autumn 2022, the Senate is due to reform to market with moves that could affect more than 30 operators in total.
The Italian court TAR ruled that the ADM should give a one-year extension to each operator which would become effective immediately. They also ruled that the government would not be able to deny license extension requests regardless of the potential upcoming reforms.
With a new Budget Law being signed at the end of December, the TAR also advised that the government should include some clear conditions for online gambling concessions.
