PAYMENT METHODS AND ONLINE CASINOS IN ITALY
Top Casinos and Best Banking Options for Italian Players
Gambling activities in Italy go back to Roman times. For centuries, the Italian nation has enjoyed various gambling activities which have been spreading out not only across the local communities but also all over Europe.
As many countries worldwide, Italy has experienced ups and downs regarding its attitude towards gambling, but the past experiences have contributed to the current rather favourable situation in the gambling scene. Italians are in pursuit of hot, fun casinos and we’ll gladly share our suggestions, spicing them up with the very best payment methods for Italian players to use for both deposit and withdrawals.
If Brazil is the “sleeping giant”, Italy is the motherland of gambling. The opportunities are plentiful and gambling runs in the blood of Italians across the peninsula. Roman legionaries were playing games similar to modern backgammon, whereas Italians today have access to dozens of different games of chance, offline and online. Gambling-related traditions continued over the centuries and gambling houses transitioned into the online world rather smoothly, facing wide acceptance from the Italian audience.
For many, gambling is harmless fun, but Italy also battles problematic gambling addictions as some players love their slot machines a bit too much. This is, of course, something we don’t approve of. Responsible gaming is the only way our recommendations make sense and contribute to the growing online casino community. If you use our advice and suggestions to make responsible bets while depositing real money, you will have the best time at any of the recommended Italian casinos on the web.
Best Italian Online Casinos
Italian casino players are not experiencing any shortage of options, thankfully, when it comes to online websites to play at. They have access to the latest slot machines and some of the most rewarding gambling platforms in Europe. The top Italian online casinos boast excellent bonuses and convenient payment solutions, and if you care to find out more about the best in Italian online gambling stick around for the Italian online casino champions (in our book, at least).
Casino1337
18+ | New Customers Only |
T&C Apply- Extensive games collection
- Multiple payment methods
- 24/7 Live Chat
18+ | New Customers Only |
T&C Apply
Slots Palace
18+ | New Customers Only |
T&C Apply- PayID Australian Casino
- 4,900+ games
- Great cashback offers
18+ | New Customers Only |
T&C ApplyTop Casino Banking Methods in Italy
Some payment methods work better in specific communities. Even though they may not have significant flaws, they may just be best suitable for players in certain countries, while players from other regions benefit from alternative options. In Italy, there is a plethora of banking solutions to choose from, especially if you plan on using them for online gambling. Here’s our take on the top casino banking methods for Italians.
Review & Best Casinos
- State-run and tightly regulated
- Quite low fees
- Positive player feedback
Review & Best Casinos
- High degree of security
- Licensed by Italian government
- Wide acceptance rate
Review & Best Casinos
- Trusted around the world
- Fast casino withdrawals
- Great option for UK, SE, IT, ES
Review & Best Casinos
- Fast casino transactions
- Available around the globe
- 165 supported currencies
Review & Best Casinos
- A leading payment solution
- Maximum security
- Fast & easy casino transactions
Review & Best Casinos
- Fast casino payments
- Available around the globe
- Designed with iGaming focus
Review & Best Casinos
- Available around the globe
- Designed with iGaming focus
- Fast deposits & withdrawals
Review & Best Casinos
- Great option for Australia, Canada
- Instant deposits without fees
- Full anonymity
Review & Best Casinos
- Instant deposits & withdrawals
- Safe and reliable e-Wallet
- Widely accepted at casinos
Laws and Regulations on Online Gambling in Italy?
The gambling industry in Italy has seen massive growth in recent years, especially in the online market. At one point, Italian legislation was very stringent, prohibiting even legitimate European gambling operators to offer their online services to Italian punters. Due to this practice, Italian authorities entered a problematic situation with the European Commission. The EC argued that the Italian approach is not compatible with the principles of the EEC Treaty concerning the freedom of establishment and the freedom to provide cross-border services.
In 2006, the Italian online gambling market gradually started to experience liberalisation. In 2009, amendments were made to the gambling law and the new law came into power in 2010, allowing foreign gambling operators to launch online real money games. However, before offering their gambling services to Italian bettors, these operators would need to obtain an Italian license. The Italian gaming authority that issues licenses is the AAMS (Amministrazione Autonoma dei Monopoli di Stato – Autonomous Administration of State Monopolies). Websites that hold an Italian license have to prove that they maintain responsible gambling partnerships and complete regular fairness audits.
The Italian Criminal law establishes a clear difference between games of skill and games of luck. Lotteries, sports betting and some other activities are legal and regulated. Gambling can be offered and enjoyed, only if it is approved by the state. Companies situated in the European Economic Area are favoured for getting licenses. There are hundreds of online gambling operators currently running in the Italian online market.
Italian casinos are regulated by the Italian Customs and Monopolies Agency (ADM), meaning all legal casinos are ADM/AAMS certified. In order to receive this certification, online casinos in Italy must pass a series of strict evaluations and they also need to make a significant financial investment.
There is an absolute ban on the advertising of games and bets including sponsorships and forms of indirect advertising, according to the Decree-Law No. 87 of 2018, also known as the “Decreto Dignità”. Excluded from the prohibition are national lotteries.
AGCOM, the Italian communications regulator, recently issued its first sanction against an operator for violating the advertising ban. In October 2019, new measures for combating unlicensed gambling, including payment blocking measures, entered into effect. In 2020, a tax of 0.5% on turnover on all bets on sporting events (virtual sports, too) was introduced and should remain valid until the end of 2021.
Italian Market Updates
- December 2021: Italian authorities are preparing a draft law on a 2023 licensing tender process that should reduce the number of available online gambling licenses to 40.
Are You Required to Pay Taxes on Winnings?
European standards for gambling tax rates are notoriously high, and Italy is topping this ladder. It has one of the highest tax rates on gambling, increasing the taxes twice in the past few years, in 2019 and again in 2021. The gaming sector is one of the most important industries in the country, with Italians spending over €100 billion only in 2021 to fuel their love of gambling.
Italian iGaming licensees are subject to a tax of 25% of gross gaming revenue on online casino and bingo. Online fixed-odds betting tax stands at 22% of GGR. The tax system covers various forms of betting activities. In addition, there is a new 0.5% turnover tax for sportsbooks.
As for gamblers, they already pay an entertainment tax to play at casinos. Therefore, national law exempts winnings at Italian casinos with a license. However, if an Italian player gambles at an offshore casino, the Italian government may consider their winnings taxable. Therefore, income tax comes into play, and such winnings must be reported.
Can Casinos That Accept Italian Players Be Trusted?
If you register at an online casino that holds an Italian license, you will know it will sustain the utmost safety measures and there will be no trust issues between you as a player and the operator/provider of the games on offer. Safety and protection is also reflected in the eCOGRA certificate which, if available, can be seen at the bottom of the homepage of the casino.
Naturally, you are looking for a safe, reputable online casino that accepts customers from Italy. With a number of suspicious casino sites out there, it is good to be cautious, yet we can assure you that all the websites featured on CasinoBankingMethods.com have already been verified as legitimate, safe, secure and trustworthy.
Other than being properly licensed and regulated by the AASM, these sites use a minimum of 128-Bit digital SSL (Secure Socket Layer) encryption to protect customer personal and financial data, not to mention how they take responsible gaming very seriously and employ various measures against gambling addiction and underage gambling.
Without these aspects covered, no casino can expect to receive a high rating anywhere. CBM rates the safety of casino sites at the very beginning of the process and only when the casino passes with flying colours, we proceed to evaluate its characteristics further.
Best Casino Bonuses for Italian Players
Italians are known to be warm and welcoming people, which is why plenty of Italian online casinos want to respond in a similar fashion. You can find many casinos online prepared to give you a warm welcome with a generous new player bonus if you sign up from Italy. The fun doesn’t have to stop there, as there are plenty of other options to consider making use of – from no deposit bonuses and cashback deals to free spins and VIP perks.
Arlekin
Welcome Package
40x (B+FS Wins)
Ongoing
€20/30 AU$
€10,000
Casombie
Welcome Package
35x (D+B) 40x (FS Wins)
Ongoing
€20/AU$30
No
Zotabet
Welcome Package
WELCOME
40x (B+FS Wins)
Ongoing
€20/30 AU$
Spinch
Welcome Package
WBSPIN
40x (B+D)
Ongoing
€30/45 AU$
King Billy
Deposit
Free Spins
Not needed
30xB
Ongoing
€10
No maximum
Bitdreams
Welcome Package
WELCOME1
50x (B + FS Wins)
Ongoing
30€/AU$
Lucky7even
Welcome Package
40x (B + FS Wins)
Ongoing
€20/AU$30
€50
MyStake
Welcome Package
30x (B+D)
Ongoing
€20
Local Payment Methods to Consider
While many payment providers often go global, there are some banking processors that prefer a more localised, personalised approach. There is nothing wrong with using international payment methods to top up your online casino account if you with the methods of your choosing to be convenient and affordable. However, CBM believes that every market has a choice, humble or wide, of local methods for players to consider.
Statistics indicate that Italy is the fourth biggest e-commerce market in Europe, so Italians have grown fairly accustomed to paying online for their goods and services. They are found to use mostly, prepaid cards, mobile payment solutions and electronic wallets for both e-commerce and online gambling.
Postepay (co-branded with Visa) is the most popular deposit option, yet there aren’t many online casinos supporting this option, although there are selected websites accepting Postepay at this point. This is a payment method invented specifically for Italians to make online payments and it is run by the Italian postal office. CartaSi is just as exclusive to the Italian market as Postepay, and combines the prepaid card mechanism with the user’s Skrill account. Snaipay and OnShop are also used to make payments to gambling operators in Italy.
Another leading choice for Italian players is PayPal, which isn’t precisely Italian-based, but certainly is prevalent in large European markets. PayPal online casinos are not hard to come by and the method is easy to use, rather cheap and much faster than bank transactions.
Depositing with EUR Currency
Gambling can’t be carried out without depositing money, so it’s worth comparing the availability of payment options and currencies. With Italy-friendly casinos operating from the European Economic Area, there shouldn’t be any trouble finding the Euro as the main currency. Every player gets to choose a preferred currency upon registration or first deposit, so it makes perfect sense for Italian players to deposit in Euros. Why?
Well, for one, depositing in Euros comes naturally. One does all its shopping and payments in EUR, why not gamble online in EUR as well? Since the Euro is a domestic currency, the player will not have to suffer any conversion costs when making a deposit or submitting a withdrawal. Nowadays, it may be easy to exchange currencies online, but it will cost you. It is best to avoid additional fees of that nature. Ultimately, being able to keep a gambling bank in Euros will make it quite simple for you to manage your spending, not having to calculate over and over every conversion.
Top Land-Based Casinos in Italy
Gambling laws in Italy are uniform and apply on a national level. However, a few regions in the country have an autonomous status and unique gambling landscapes. Campione D’Italia is an example, the region where Casino di Campione was located.
Once the largest casino in Europe, Casino di Campione declared bankruptcy and closed in 2018. Statistical data from 2020 indicate that Lombardy, Campania, and Lazio stand out as the most profitable gambling areas in modern Italy. Let’s look at some of the most impressive land-based Italian casinos.
Casino di Venezia Ca’ Vendramin Calergi
The 15th-century Ca’ Loredan Vendramin Calergi palace on the Grand Canal in Venice is home to Venice Casino, aka Casinò di Venezia. If Las Vegas casinos are over the top for you, Casinò di Venezia offers an entirely different décor. The venue opened in 1638 as a theatre, with gambling offered in plays’ intermissions. The famous German composer Richard Wagner stayed in the palace from 1858 until he died in 1883. Today, a museum is dedicated to him in the same facility and a restaurant bearing the name The Wagner.
The casino is open all year round, except on the 24th and the 25th of December. Patrons can play slots and table games from 20:15 – 03:15 on Fridays and Saturdays, whereas the Sunday schedule is from 19:00 – 02:00. Given the glamorous atmosphere, a dress code is to be expected. However, men can dress casually, but not in beachwear. Jackets are required in the VIP area after 8.30 pm.
Available games include over 600 slot machines and dozens of tables with dealers. Fair Roulette, Chemin de Fer, French Roulette, and Punto Banco are some of the games on offer. Of course, blackjack and poker are also popular among Venetians and tourists coming to Casino di Venezia Ca’ Vendramin Calergi.
Casino de la Vallee
Casino de la Vallée is a perfect weekend getaway. It is surrounded by Mont Blanc, Monte Rosa, Cervino and Gran Paradiso, four of the highest mountains in Europe. Make no mistake, this is an upscale casino with luxury hotels, restaurants and a spa. In addition, the casino floor spans nearly 43,000 square feet.
The casino in Saint-Vincent opened in 1947 and remains one of Europe’s most praised gambling houses. Visitors can enjoy the following games:
- Craps
- Blackjack
- American Roulette
- French Roulette
- English Roulette
- Caribbean Poker
- Baccarat
- Chemin de Fer
- Ultimate Texas Hold’Em
- Slots & Jackpots
Casinò de la Vallée di Saint-Vincent is open every day from 10 am. A valid identity document is necessary to enter the venue, and only 18+ are allowed. The dress code is seemly dressed, with men required to wear long trousers in the room Privè on the 1st floor.
The main tourist attractions of the Aosta Valley are all nearby, so Saint-Vincent casino visitors can gamble and enjoy the surroundings. The five-star Grand Hôtel Billia is one of the best accommodations available, offering a swimming pool and wellness.
Casino Sanremo
Situated in a majestic building in the city of flowers and festivals, the Sanremo Casino boasts a long history. The venue opened in 1905, officially named Casinò Municipale di Sanremo. When in town, you can’t miss the gambling and entertainment complex with 450+ slots and classic table games like Baccarat, Punto Banco, Blackjack and Texas Hold’em and Omaha Poker. It is surely a jewel of the Ligurian Riviera.
Casinò Sanremo is always open, although there is a schedule concerning specific games. For example, the slot machine room opening hours are from 10:00 – 02:30, Sunday through Thursday. The hours are prolonged on Fridays and Saturdays. Traditional games are available in the afternoon and evening. Dressing smart-casual is appropriate, whereas a formal jacket is needed to enter Private Rooms.
Casino di Venezia Ca’Noghera
The Ca’Noghera Casino is located in Venice, five minutes away from the Marco Polo Airport. It is a perfect option for players who prefer the American style and wish to feel like they are in Vegas. Ca’ Noghera opened in 1999, spanning over 6,450 square feet of gaming space.
The venue houses over 550 slot machines and around two dozen tables where patrons can play:
- Fair Roulette
- Blackjack
- Chemin de Fer
- Caribbean Poker
- Ultimate Poker
- Baccarat
- French Roulette
Casino di Venezia Ca’Noghera offers a café, a restaurant, and an open-air terrace. Access to games is restricted to adults who carry valid IDs.
Casinò Municipale di Campione d’Italia
Casinò di Campione is the largest casino in Europe and one of the oldest in all of Italy. The venue is located on the shores of Lake Lugano, and it has been operational since 1917. The Municipal Casino declared bankruptcy after the economic crisis in 2018 and remained inactive for three years. It officially reopened in January 2022.
The huge casino measures slightly under 600,000 square feet and features a luxurious interior. There are more tables available here than in any other casino in Italy – 50+ tables hosting poker, blackjack, and roulette. Games like Trente et Quarante and Chemin de Fer are also very popular, as well as poker variants Caribbean Stud, Russian Poker, Texas Hold’Em, and Ultimate Texas Hold’Em.
There are 770+ slots on the casino floor, with a selected portion separated in a smoker-friendly room. Leading software providers like Novomatic are behind the machines at the Municipal Casino. While the casino itself doesn’t provide accommodation, you can find it in close proximity. For example, Hotel Admiral, The View Lugano and the Hotel Atlantico are nearby. The casino does have a snack bar and a restaurant seating up to 200 people. Casinò di Campione adopts a smart-casual dress code.
Most Famous Gamblers
Many athletes are famous for their poker skills. However, this isn’t the case with Mario Balotelli, the famous football player who played for Manchester City, AC Milan, and Liverpool. Mario grew up in northern Italy and started playing football in 2005.
Balotelli’s gambling activities became known while he was in Manchester City. Mostly playing roulette and slots, Mario won significant sums. Seeking excitement, the talented Italian won £25,000 in a Manchester casino in 2011. According to news reports, he gave £1,000 to a homeless man after that success.
Francesco Totti is an Italian football icon who has more passions than chasing the ball. He was an incredible sportsman who spent an entire career in one club, Roma. Clearly, loyalty and reliability are valuable traits for Totti. That is why certain sports betting sites have recruited him as a brand ambassador.
Totti enjoys playing poker online and has made a name for himself as a savvy poker player. Of course, it has never been about money for the Roma legend. It’s all about fun and honing skills.
Gerolamo Cardano was not a celebrity or a contemporary sportsman-turned-gambler. Instead, he was a renaissance mathematician, inventor and physicist who, by chance, also loved gambling. Cardano even wrote a book called Book on Games of Chance.
In his book Liber de ludo aleae, Cardano treats probability systematically for the first time. He even describes effective cheating methods. The game he based most of his theories on was throwing dice. In the case of this versatile scientist, gambling was a source of income. Since he was often short on funds, he gambled to earn money.
The name Mustapha Kanit may be familiar to some, as he is an Italian professional poker player. His career live tournament winnings exceed $11,500,000 as of 2021. Kanit sat at two final tables at the WSOP and finished fourth in the High Roller PCA Bahamas. While playing online poker, Mustapha used the nickname lasagnaaammm.
One of the leading Italian poker players, alongside Mustapha Kanit and Max Pescatori, Dario Sammartino won over $14 million in live tournament winnings. The talented poker player from Naples learned 5-Card Draw poker from his father, then later discovered Texas Hold’em.
Players frequenting PokerStars around 2005 may have encountered Madgenius87, which was Dario’s nickname at the time on the popular platform. His greatest achievement so far is sitting at the final table at the Main Event at the 2019 WSOP. As a runner-up, her brought home $6 million that time.
Fun Facts
The very word “casino” is of Italian origins. “Casa” means “house” in Italian, while it can also refer to a summer house, or social club. A place to relax. So, the term “casino” is derived from this. It’s possible that organised gambling started in Venice around 1638.
In 2017, Italian online players wagered a total of 27 billion euros. In 2019, this figure peaked at over 36 billion euros.
While Italy boasts hundreds of online casinos, it has only a few land-based casinos. Surprisingly, none of them is based in Rome. Casino de la Vallee, located in St. Vincent, is the largest land-based casino in Italy with over 500 slot machines and around 90 game tables.
The Trevi Fountain is one of the oldest water sources in Rome. In 1730 Pope Clemens XII held a contest to design a new fountain. Many important architects participated, but in the end Nicola Salvi won the rights to design the fountain. Salvi’s project for the fountain was the least expensive, so the pope approved the financing of the works and used the third extraction of the lotto game to pay for it. In other words, the money earned from the reintroduction of the lotto in Rome financed the Trevi Fountain! Gambling is, in a way, responsible for its existence.
The university city of Pavia was identified in 2013 as Italy’s “capital of gambling”, with a video or slot gambling machine for every 104 inhabitants.
The history of gambling in Italy dates back to the Roman Empire with a game called Ludus Duodecim Scriptorum, which has today evolved into Backgammon.
FAQ
What is the best online casino for Italian players?
The answer to this depends on what you are looking for in an online casino. If it holds a license from the AAMS, has a large and varied collection of games, high-quality customer support, efficient and secure banking methods and a generous welcome bonus, it is usually a great pick.
Is it legal to play in online casinos from Italy?
Gambling was made legal in Italy in 2006 and today Italians can enjoy gambling online without any problems with the law. There are a number of fantastic online casinos that have been vetted and reviewed, which are, of course, fully licensed and regulated by the Italian authority.
What is the minimum age limit to gamble online in Italy?
The legal gambling age in Italy is 18 years old. It is strictly forbidden for anyone under the age of 18 to take part in any gambling activities, online or otherwise.
Does an online gambling company need to be established in Italy to apply for an Italian gambling license?
No, license holders, their servers and personnel can be located in any country of the European Economic Area. Companies from the UK or Gibraltar are able to apply for an Italian remote gaming license, but might be obliged to relocate to an EU country as a consequence of the Brexit.
Are online gambling winnings taxable in Italy?
According to the government’s 2020 fiscal budget, it is planned to impose a new 12% tax on gamblers’ winnings under €500. Winnings over this amount will suffer a progressively growing rate that will increase along with the value of those winnings until it reaches the absolute maximum of 23%. Large lottery jackpots (over €100m) are taxed 23%.
Is there an online casino that is available in Italian?
Surely. If an online casino is multilingual and available in Italian, when you join it should automatically switch to its Italian version. If not, look for the language menu to switch manually.