Gambling Revenue On The Increase In Italy

New data shows increase in revenue for Italian sports betting and casino activities.

New figures from state gambling monopoly AAMS have revealed that Italy's revenue from sports betting, slot machine and online poker operation is growing.

Although total wagers for May were down slightly on the previous month - €4,342 billion (£3,725 billion) compared with €4,442 billion in April - the country's gaming revenue has risen by 9.5 per cent in the first five months of 2009, Reuters reports.

Comparative figures published by the Agipro news agency show that sports betting, poker and slot machines all took more in May than during the corresponding month last year.

Meanwhile, the Italian government has revealed plans to introduce a new gross profits tax rate of 20 per cent for online poker cash games and casino games, eGaming Review reports.

"In tournament poker we can take three per cent of gross gaming revenues but that would not work in cash games as the operator takes a rake off every pot," head of remote gaming at AAMS Francesco Rodano told the magazine.

"We will therefore take the tax off the operators' rake, this will allow them to set the rake at commercially viable levels."