Italy mulls sports betting tax hike; Paddy Power gives Italy the boot

Italy’s sports betting operators could face higher taxes on both land-based and online operations if legislators get their way.

Nothing is carved in stone, but early drafts of Italy’s 2018 national budget suggest sports betting tax hikes are in the works. The proposals would see land-based betting taxes raised one point, from 18% to 19%, while online betting tax would increase from its current rate of 22% to 23%.

Italy’s Ministry of Finance is reportedly also considering an option that would harmonize online and land-based sports betting taxes at 21%, while hiking fees on each land-based gaming outlet by a couple thousand euros.

Italy last revised its online sports betting tax regime nearly two years ago, replacing the widely despised tax on betting turnover that operators found incompatible with profits. Since that change, along with a significant expansion in the types of legal wagering options, Italy’s online sports betting market has routinely posted double-digit year-on-year monthly revenue gains.