Italy’s Unregulated Gambling Sector Hits €20 Billion

(AsiaGameHub) –   Italy’s unlicensed online gambling market is valued at approximately €20 billion ($22.5 billion), a report from the Data Room Nexus Observatory reveals, despite years of stringent advertising restrictions.

Good to Know

• Over 4.5 million Italians accessed unlicensed gambling platforms in the first quarter of 2026.
• These illicit sites and applications registered more than 13 million user sessions.
• Smartphones are responsible for over 90% of the traffic to illegal betting sites.

Unlicensed operators have moved beyond traditional web advertising. They now connect with players via Instagram, Telegram, WhatsApp, YouTube, push notifications, referral links, and private groups. Analysts also caution that counterfeit applications and duplicated web pages can make illegal platforms appear nearly identical to legitimate gambling operators.

The 2018 Decreto Dignità law prohibited gambling advertising related to cash prizes in Italy, extending to sponsorships and social media promotions. However, the report suggests these restrictions may have inadvertently aided illegal operators by pushing promotional activity into less traceable channels, while licensed firms are more easily monitored.

Mirror Sites Keep Replacing Blocked Platforms

In 2025, Italian regulators blocked access to more than 1,000 illicit gambling websites. A significant number reappeared within hours or days via mirror sites that utilize identical payment systems, customer databases, and technical infrastructure.

While Data Room Nexus monitored around 500 gambling-related domains, the actual figure is believed to be higher due to rapidly changing web addresses and significant activity occurring within private messaging apps.

Isabella Rusciano, General Director of Data Room Nexus, stated:

“When illicit content spreads on platforms considered trustworthy, it grows ever more challenging for the average user to differentiate between authorized and unauthorized offerings.”

The audience for these sites is predominantly young. Approximately 78% of visitors were male, and close to half were under 35 years old. The most represented age bracket was 25 to 34, with site traffic highest from noon to midnight.

The rise of direct traffic is another concerning indicator. An increasing number of users are returning via bookmarked links or direct browser searches rather than advertisements, suggesting illegal platforms are fostering habitual use.

Filippo Pucci, Scientific Director of Data Room Nexus, commented:

“The topic of responsible gambling is particularly delicate in the context of unregulated markets.

“The total lack of oversight markedly heightens users’ risk exposure.”

In addition to consumer safety concerns, Italy forfeits substantial tax income as billions circulate outside the official gambling sector. The report notes that illegal sites offer users minimal safeguards concerning responsible gambling, data protection, account conflicts, or lost funds.