Italy’s gambling regulator, the Customs and Monopolies Agency (ADM), has rolled out updated technical verification rules for gambling system auditing bodies, aiming to align all licensed operators with the latest IT and compliance standards outlined in the March 2024 gambling reform decree.

Under the new rules, all gambling systems must undergo inspections by an independent verification body (Organismo di Verifica, or ODV) to ensure fairness, security, and transparency. The updated framework focuses on system architecture, data protection, user management protocols, and disaster recovery planning.

Operators are required to adopt modular system designs, allowing for independent updates of each module. This helps ease maintenance and minimizes disruptions in the event of technical failures. Systems must be equipped to detect data manipulation and shut down automatically upon identifying integrity breaches.

Critical data—such as game logs and user activity—must be securely stored and accessible to ADM for audit purposes. Real-time monitoring features are now mandatory, and tamper-proof logs must be maintained, duplicated regularly, and backed up every 120 seconds at geographically distinct sites within the EEA.

All games must utilize certified random number generators (RNGs) to guarantee fair and unpredictable outcomes. These RNGs must be tested for compliance and effectiveness throughout the gameplay. Additionally, players must be automatically logged out after 20 minutes of inactivity, with the option to customize timeout settings. Upon return, the session must resume from the exact state it was left.

ODVs must document all compliance procedures, from test results to system integrity checks. More information is available on the ADM portal.

CJEU Steps In on Italy Gambling Disputes

Meanwhile, Italy’s State Council and Supreme Court have referred an ongoing legal dispute over gambling advertising bans to the Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU). The case stems from a €50,000 fine issued by AGCOM against LeoVegas' Italian subsidiary Winga.it over a slot machine ad aired on Sky 237 in 2019.

In a separate ruling, the CJEU found flaws in Italy’s bingo license extension process, stating it breached EU principles of fair competition and non-discrimination. ADM will now be required to develop a transparent and standardized licensing framework to ensure equal treatment for all operators.