Every time I visit Italia, I make sure to indulge in as much pizza, pasta, espresso and limoncello as physically possible. And being the gambling man that I am, I also try my luck at some of the local casinos or join in the fun of my Italian friends when we hang out. And that gave me a great idea.
of the Best Online Poker Sites Ranked (2023) - PokerlistingsI decided to look into what online gambling options Italians have at their disposal, how regulated the industry is in the country, what are the most popular games, and so on. As a professional gambler myself with years of experience, I like to think that I can spot important details others might miss. So let’s dive into it!
Is Gambling Legal in Italy?
Yes, gambling is legal in Italia and, just as important, the market is well-regulated. It looks like the government has taken all necessary measures to prevent money laundering, protect minors, fight addiction and ensure problem gamblers get all the help they need. The Autonomous Administration of State Monopolies – AAMS – is responsible for all gambling activities on Italian soil.
Most Popular Online Casinos in Canada for 2023 [updated]However, the country took its first steps toward regulating the online gambling industry only in 2011, allowing both AAMS and non-AAMS operators to offer their services legally to Italians. But, in order to do business there, the latter must conclude a special agreement with the said administration. As things stand right now, foreign gambling providers can enter into an “agreement for the authorization of individual games”, but they cannot advertise their services anywhere in the country.
mejores casinos de Florida - Top Casinos en Florida para 2023Regular checks are carried out by the .Army (of course!) in order to make sure no one slips through the net and provides illegal gambling services to Italians. Also known as Colonnese, after the town near Rome where the HQ is located, this structure reports directly to the Prime Minister of Italy.
Anyhow, rest assured that you can gamble in safety and security both offline and online in Italy without breaking the law. Illegal operators could face heavy fines if found guilty, so there’s no reason to worry about getting scammed. In fact, the biggest threat comes from unlicensed platforms, so choose wisely where you play.
Best No Deposit Bonuses in Casino USA (2023) - Don't Miss Out!What Are the Popular Gambling Activities in Italy?
Being an old and sophisticated European country, Italia has a long history with various forms of gambling. From horse racing and football pools (known locally as totip) to bingo and sports betting, everything is allowed and seems to be quite popular among the locals. Of course, land-based casinos enjoy great prestige, especially the iconic ones in major cities such as Venice, San Remo, Campione d’Italia (which is, however, surrounded by Switzerland), Naples, and of course the famous Casinò di Venezia built on an artificial island in the middle of the lagoon. The Riviera di Ponente (the coastline on the west) is particularly popular among gamblers, with glamorous resorts in cities like Ventimiglia and Alassio.
Casinos Where You Can Bet on Roulette with Crypto and Get Free BetsWhen it comes to , slots seem to be very popular, closely followed by card and table games, while a significant portion of the players prefer sports betting. There’s also lotteries, bingo, poker (both live and online), football (or soccer) pools, horse races, and so on. You can literally bet on anything and everywhere in Italy, which is one of the most advanced and open-minded gambling markets in Europe.
However, the government has recently tried to limit the number of slot machine halls and impose certain restrictions on gambling ads, while imposing higher taxes. In August 2019, the Council of Ministers approved a new bill that bans all gambling ads during sports events.
Best Online Casino Games in Italy
If you’re looking to , I suggest you pay attention to details. For instance, the platform itself should be intuitive and easy to navigate, the customer support team should be available around the clock, and payments should be quick and hassle free. Other important features include a generous welcome bonus and promotions for existing customers, a rich game portfolio provided by top developers (slots, table games, live dealer titles, poker, scratch cards etc.), excellen mobile compatibility, and so on.
video poker casino gamesI found several that ticked all the boxes, so feel free to check them out and pick the one you like best. Anyway, here are the most popular online casino games in Italy:
Slots
Slot machines, or slots, are very popular among Italians, both in land-based casinos and online. These games require little to no skills and knowledge to play, which recommends them to beginners or casual players who just want to have fun and maybe get lucky. However, there are many types of slots out there, so a bit of previous experience or some research would be advisable before investing any real money. Three reel slots or five reel slots, video slots, classic slots, branded slots, fruit machines… the variety is huge and every type has its own advantages and particularities.
Usually, regular users go for slots since they offer excellent value for the money and can award hefty rewards on decent bets; while high rollers prefer table games where they can use their skills and knowledge to tip the odds in their favor.
Nowadays, most online casinos rely heavily on slots in their portfolios and work exclusively or almost exclusively with a few big software companies. Now, this is not necessarily a bad thing because firms such as NetEnt, Microgaming or Playtech are known for high quality standards and innovative products. Still, a diverse portfolio consisting of games developed by different providers is always a good sign.
Casinos in Boca Raton, Florida you Need to Try OutSome of the most popular slots on the Italian market are : Cleopatra, Book of Dead, Starburst, Thor, Jack Hammer II, Narcos, Bonanza, Mustang Gold, Wolf Gold, Divine Fortune, Immortal Romance and Jungle Spirit Call of the Wild, to name one title from each.
Card & Table Games
Second only to slots in terms of popularity, card and table games are favored by experienced gamblers who know the rules, understand the odds and can actually influence the outcome of a round/hand/spin by using various strategies. This applies to pretty much all titles in this category, be it roulette, blackjack, poker or baccarat.
Apps Like Cash App You Can Use to Send Money - DuckerDiliWhile some games may seem complicated at first glance, the truth is that most of them are rather simple once you figure out the basic rules and learn some crucial tactics. And winning more often than not feels better than pulling that lever on a slot machine, doesn’t it? That being said, I strongly recommend you to practice for free before investing real money.
Here are some of the most popular card and table games in Italy: Blackjack (especially Blackjack Super 6), Roulette (particularly French or European versions), Baccarat Banque, Casino Hold’em, Caribbean Stud, Texas Hold’em Poker, 3D European Roulette, Hi-Lo, Pai Gow Poker and Ultimate Texas Hold’em.
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For those who don’t want to give up the charm and excitement of land-based venues, most good online casinos offer a wide range of live dealer games where you can interact with real people and feel the rush of adrenalin just like in the good old days. While not exactly a modern invention – these tables have been available online for over 20 years now – live dealer games have gained in popularity in recent years thanks to better technology, faster Internet connections, and so on.
In Italy, the most loved live dealer games are: Live Roulette, Live Blackjack, Live Baccarat, Casino Hold’em, Three Card Poker, and, of course, Live Poker.
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Since football (soccer) is the most popular sport in Italy, it should come as no surprise that sports betting is huge there and most online casinos cater to this segment too. Given the fact that men usually prefer gambling games while women tend to go for slots, bookmakers strike the perfect balance between these two categories.
While I don’t gamble myself, I asked around and did some research to find out which are the preferred sports bets in Italy: Single match betting (on football matches, obviously), over/under bets, double chance, matched betting, and accumulator tips.
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Last but not least, progressive jackpot games can turn you into a millionaire overnight and this is certainly an important factor for many online gamblers in Italy. However, the competition is fierce and the odds are generally against you, so I wouldn’t spend too much money chasing that elusive jackpot.
That being said, if lady luck is on your side, you can hit the jackpot in a single spin and that will surely make your day/week/month/year. By the way, here are some of the most loved progressive jackpot games in Italy: Mega Fortune, Hall of Gods, Arabian Nights, , , and .
Final Thoughts
Gambling is part of the Italian culture and traditions, so it’s no wonder that locals can choose from a large number of land-based and that cater to different tastes and budgets. Whether you play for fun or take the games seriously, I hope you will find the perfect platform and lots of exciting titles. Ciao!
About the author
Low-Stakes Poker Tournaments to Play Online right now!Peter Clayton
Peter is one of the most experienced writers at AskGamblers. He's covered the world of gambling and games of chance for almost two decades and shared his reviews and opinions with our blog readers.
