Rome, December 28, 2025 — Italy is moving forward with significant changes to its gaming and sports sector as part of its 2026 budget law, including the creation of a new national lottery game designed to fund Olympic initiatives.
The Italian government is enacting a series of reforms to the gaming industry, introducing a new national game and allocating funds for modernization and increased penalties for illegal betting.
- A new national lottery game, “Win for Italia Team,” will direct profits to the Italian National Olympic Committee (CONI) and support the Azzurri’s Olympic projects.
- 80 million euros have been allocated to reorganize the country’s physical betting and gaming network.
- Penalties for illegal betting on prohibited competitions or animal fights have been increased to up to two years imprisonment and fines of up to 30,000 euros.
Work on the budget law is currently underway in Montecitorio, with an examination scheduled for today, a vote of confidence expected tomorrow, and a final vote set for Tuesday, December 30th, by 1 p.m., according to reports from the Italian parliament.
New National Lottery Game to Benefit Olympic Efforts
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The most prominent change is the introduction of “Win for Italia Team,” a new national totalizer numerical game. According to the budget provisions, 65% of the game’s collection will be allocated to the prize pool, with the remaining profits going directly to CONI and funding projects for the Azzurri, Italy’s national Olympic team. The technical regulations for the game will be approved by the Customs and Monopolies Agency within the next 60 days.
Reorganization and Modernization of the Gaming Sector
The government is also prioritizing the reorganization of the physical betting and gaming network, allocating 80 million euros to a dedicated fund for this purpose. Additionally, a Senate agenda, signed by Senator Lotito, has been accepted that initiates a review of taxation on slot machines (AWP), with consideration given to calculating taxes based on effective margin and implementing new blocking systems to prevent underage gambling.
Support for Horse Racing and Increased Penalties for Illegal Betting
The budget also includes a one million euro allocation for the Capannelle racecourse in Rome in 2026. Simultaneously, authorities are taking a firmer stance against illegal betting activities. Penalties for betting on prohibited competitions or animal fights have been significantly increased, now carrying a potential sentence of up to two years imprisonment and fines reaching 30,000 euros.
Why It Matters
These changes represent a significant shift in Italy’s approach to gaming revenue, directly linking it to national sporting success. The creation of “Win for Italia Team” is a novel approach to funding Olympic initiatives, potentially providing a stable revenue stream for CONI and the Azzurri. The modernization of the physical betting network and the review of slot machine taxation suggest a broader effort to regulate and optimize the gaming industry, balancing revenue generation with responsible gambling practices. The increased penalties for illegal betting demonstrate a commitment to combating illicit activities within the sector.
