Europe is gearing up for a major shake-up in gambling regulation in 2025, and the latest episode of iGaming Daily examines how these changes are set to reshape two of the continent’s key markets: Italy and Romania.
Host Charlie Horner is joined by SBC Media Editor-at-Large, Ted Menmuir, and iGaming Expert Editor, Joe Streeter, to break down the regulatory trends and their potential impact on operators, players, and market dynamics.
The episode first turns to Italy, where Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni’s government is driving a comprehensive overhaul of the online gambling sector. Central to the reform is the introduction of a nine-year concession priced at €7m, raising the entry barrier and reducing the number of licences available.
The reforms aim to streamline the market, strengthen oversight, phase out the fragmented skins model, and position Italy as one of Europe’s most secure and tightly regulated gambling environments. New compliance measures, including mandatory digital ID verification for player registration, are also highlighted as part of the government’s push for tighter control.
The discussion then moves to Romania, where the Liberal Party is advocating for an increase in the legal gambling age from 18 to 21. The team debates whether this policy will meaningfully enhance player protection, particularly when contrasted with Romania’s historically volatile regulatory framework versus Italy’s structured, high-barrier approach.
Supported by Optimove, the creator of positionless marketing and a leading player engagement platform, the episode provides a comprehensive look at how evolving regulations across Europe are shaping operator strategy and compliance priorities heading into 2025.
The full analysis is available now on iGaming Daily.
