Italy’s 2027 budget bill would extend the reach of gambling regulator ADM into esports, bringing LAN gaming halls under a licensing and tax regime modelled on the one it applies to betting and slots.
The measure, Article 25 of the bill, has drawn opposition from IIDEA, the association representing Italy’s video game industry. It has asked the government to withdraw the provision, arguing the costs are disproportionate for a sector still in its growth phase.
LAN halls, also known as gaming centres or esports arenas, are venues where customers pay by the hour to play networked video games, often in local tournaments. They offer no cash prizes, and the bill explicitly bans betting on their premises. Common in parts of Asia, they remain a niche business in Europe.
