iGaming in the Italian Market – A Complete Overview

Italy was one of the first EU member states to introduce remote gambling comprehensively with Decree Law no. 223 converted into Law no. 248. It was however only with Law no.88, which established the general conditions to obtain a remote gambling licence.  

We provide a full remote scope testing, inspection and certification solution for the Italian jurisdiction. The Italy online gambling market is lucrative for the iGaming industry, however, to successfully navigate the regulatory landscape, it is important to work with a testing agency who are well versed in the nuances of the licensing and certification requirements.

In this blog our in-house expert team provide an overview of regulatory requirements, details on licensing, certification and game testing elements, which you can use at https://casino1.it/.

Overview of Regulatory Requirements

In Italy, remote gaming certification involves obtaining a license to operate legally within the country. The regulatory requirements for remote gambling certification in the Italy online gambling market are governed by the Italian regulatory body known as ADM, the Authority of Customs and Monopolies.

The ADM is amongst other things, responsible for:

• Controlling and regulating the gambling industry.
• Issuing gambling licences, and checking and supervising due performance and compliance by the gambling sphere in Italy.
• Monitoring the offer of gambling services to ensure the fairness and safety of operations.
• Collecting gambling taxes.
• Tackling illegal gambling activities that are not regulated.

Integration Testing

Once a game has undergone core certification, integration testing is required before the ADM approves the game for go-live. In the Italian online market, where regulations are stringent to ensure fair play and player protection, integration testing plays a vital role in ensuring compliance and preventing issues that could lead to legal or operational problems. Here’s how integration testing works and why it’s important:

1. Component Interaction: An Online platform consists of various components, such as the user interface, the backend server, the payment gateway, the game engine, the database, and more. Integration testing involves testing how these components interact and exchange data.
2. Data Flow and Integrity: Integration testing verifies the flow of data between different parts of the system. This includes ensuring that player data, financial transactions, game outcomes, and other critical information are accurately transmitted and stored.
3. Regulatory Compliance: The Italian online market has specific regulations that platforms must adhere to. Integration testing ensures that the platform’s features, such as age verification, responsible gambling tools, and anti-money laundering measures, are working correctly and in accordance with the regulations.
4. User Experience: Players expect a seamless and enjoyable experience when using an Online platform. Integration testing helps identify any glitches, slowdowns, or errors that could disrupt the user experience.
5. Game Integrity: For online casinos and betting platforms, integration testing is crucial to verify that the games and betting systems produce fair and random results. This is especially important in ensuring compliance with Italian regulations that require fair play.
6. Payment Processing: Payment transactions, deposits, withdrawals, and account balances are integral to Online. Integration testing ensures that these processes work reliably and securely, preventing any financial errors or discrepancies.
7. Third-Party Integration: Online platforms often integrate with third-party services, such as payment processors and game providers. Integration testing confirms that these integrations are functioning correctly and do not compromise the platform’s integrity.
8. Mobile and Web Platforms: Many Online platforms offer both web and mobile versions. Integration testing ensures that the user experience and functionality are consistent across different platforms and devices.
9. Security: Integration testing helps uncover security vulnerabilities and potential points of unauthorised access or data breaches.
10. Scalability: As Online platforms grow, they need to handle increasing traffic and user load. Integration testing assesses how well the platform scales under various conditions.

Live Dealer Studio

Live dealer studio testing in the context of the Italian Online market involves evaluating and certifying the live casino games that are offered to players. These games are hosted by real dealers in a studio setting and streamed to players’ devices, providing an immersive and interactive gambling experience. To ensure fair play, compliance with regulations, and the integrity of these games, live dealer studio testing is a crucial step.

This is an overview of how live dealer studio testing works in relation to the Italian market:

Game Fairness and Randomness:

Testing agencies assess the fairness and randomness of the live dealer games. This involves verifying that the outcomes of games, such as card shuffling or roulette spins, are genuinely random and not manipulated in favour of the operator or players.

Independent testing labs use advanced statistical methods and algorithms to analyse large sets of game data and ensure that the games meet the required standards for randomness.

Technical Infrastructure:

The technical aspects of the live dealer studio are examined to ensure the reliability and security of the streaming, communication, and data handling processes.

Testing covers the equipment used in the studio, including cameras, audio systems, streaming technology, and the software that manages the games.

Interaction and Communication:

Live dealer games rely on real-time interaction between players and dealers. Testing ensures that there are no delays, interruptions, or technical glitches that could disrupt the flow of the game.

The quality of audio and video streams, as well as the chat functionality, is assessed to guarantee smooth communication between players and dealers.

Regulatory Compliance:

Live dealer studio testing ensures that the games adhere to the specific regulations set by the Italian gaming authority, Agenzia delle Dogane e dei Monopoli (ADM). This includes requirements related to game fairness, responsible gambling, anti-money laundering measures, and more.

Game Integrity:

Testing agencies verify that the games are conducted honestly and transparently. This involves ensuring that dealers follow the established rules of the games and that no unauthorised access or cheating occurs.

Data Security and Privacy:

As live dealer games involve the exchange of sensitive player data, testing assesses the security measures in place to protect player information and transactions.

Studio Environment:

The physical studio where the live dealer games are hosted is evaluated for its security, professionalism, and compliance with regulatory standards.

Compliance Reporting:

After thorough testing, a detailed compliance report is generated. This report outlines the testing procedures, methodologies, findings, and whether the live dealer studio meets the required standards.

Conclusion

Italy’s current position regarding online gambling is that offering certain gambling opportunities is allowed, but only by companies that obtain an Italian license. Italy has arguably one of the largest gambling catalogues for remote gambling activities in Europe, and so is a valuable market for the online gambling industry, however it is important to work with an experienced test lab to ensure compliance with regulatory requirements.