Italian Court Case Ends, Online Gambling Plans Proceed

Plans to expand the availability of internet gambling in Italy have been in the books for some time, but progress was held back about six months ago when Italian gambling group Microgame (not to be confused with Microgaming) lodged an official complaint about proposed changes to the country’s gambling laws. The litigation has finally ended, giving the gambling expansion plans room to advance.

Microgame had issue with upcoming changes to Italian gambling laws as drafted by AAMS, the government body which oversees all gambling in the country. The changes would see Italy’s gambling market open significantly, but Microgame felt that changes taking place differed substantially from those outlined in a draft submitted to the EC for approval earlier this year.

The court ended proceedings last week on the grounds that Microgame’s complaint has already been addressed. In July, AAMS resubmitted a further draft to the EC for approval, and this draft included the latest changes that Microgame was fighting against.

Microgame operates a gambling network in Italy consisting of nearly 120 members, and believes that when Italian internet gambling industry opens up to further competition, their members will be at a disadvantage.

Plans should now move forward quickly, and more online gambling sites in Italy could be opening up to local gamblers as early as the first quarter of 2011.