TITLE: Italy's Customs and Monopolies Agency Redetermines Bingo Concession Fees Based on Revenue Brackets
BODY:
On July 31, 2026, Italy's Agenzia delle Dogane e dei Monopoli (Customs and Monopolies Agency) issued a directorial determination redetermining the indemnities owed by bingo game concessionaires operating under extension arrangements for the period January 1, 2018 through December 31, 2026.
The determination implements judicial guidance from the Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU), which ruled on March 20, 2025 that Italy's unilateral extension of bingo concessions with fixed, flat-rate fees violated EU Directive 2014/23. The CJEU determined that fee structures must be linked to individual operator revenue rather than applied uniformly across all concessionaires. Italy's Council of State subsequently issued conforming judgments on October 6, 2025, directing the agency to recalculate indemnities based on actual turnover.
The agency established 81 revenue brackets with monthly indemnities ranging from a minimum of €3,250 for operators with revenues of €1.2 million or less to a maximum of €9,000 for those exceeding €17 million. The minimum fee aligns with the €350,000 amount prescribed by Italian law for nine-year concession awards following public tender procedures. Indemnities are payable in full for each month or fraction exceeding 15 days, and at half rate for fractions of 15 days or fewer. The determination applies retroactively to all bingo concessionaires in extension status, not solely those involved in prior litigation, to prevent further disputes and ensure consistent treatment across the sector.
The agency will address any financial adjustments between parties in subsequent administrative acts, accounting for payments already made under the previous fixed-fee regime.