Italy casinos are few but historic: the country has four land-based casino operations, in Venice, Sanremo, Saint-Vincent and Campione d’Italia, alongside a huge network of licensed slot halls, betting shops and lottery outlets. All legal gambling, including online casinos and sports betting, is licensed by the customs and monopolies agency, ADM, and the minimum age is 18.
Italy gambling at a glance
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Regulator | Agenzia delle Dogane e dei Monopoli (ADM) |
| Land-based casinos | Venice (two sites), Sanremo, Saint-Vincent, Campione d’Italia |
| Online gambling | Legal with an Italian ADM licence |
| Gambling advertising | Banned since 2018 |
| Minimum age | 18 |
| Last checked | November 2026 |
Casinos in Italy
Italian law allows only a handful of traditional casinos, all with long histories and a strong connection to their towns. Each offers slot machines from major slot makers and classic table games such as French and European roulette, blackjack, baccarat (often as punto banco or chemin de fer), Caribbean Stud Poker and poker. A few tables offer craps. They are smaller than the resorts in Las Vegas, and most expect neat dress, especially in the evening.
Casinò di Venezia
Venice’s municipal casino runs two sites. Ca’ Vendramin Calergi is a Renaissance palace on the Grand Canal, where the composer Richard Wagner died in 1883. Ca’ Noghera, which opened in 1999, is a modern American-style casino.
Casinò di Sanremo
The Sanremo casino on the Ligurian Riviera, near the French border, opened in 1905 and celebrated its 120th anniversary in 2025. It is one of the best-known casinos in Italy.
Casinò de la Vallée, Saint-Vincent
Saint-Vincent in the Aosta Valley, in the Alps near the French and Swiss borders, is home to the Casinò de la Vallée.
Casinò di Campione d’Italia
Campione d’Italia is a small Italian enclave on Lake Lugano, surrounded by Switzerland. Its casino closed in July 2018 after the operating company was declared bankrupt and reopened on January 26, 2022. It now hosts major poker events again. Read our full Casinò di Campione d’Italia review.
History of gambling in Italy
Dice and board games were common in ancient Rome, and Italy has a fair claim to inventing the modern casino. In 1638 the Republic of Venice opened the Ridotto at San Moisè as a government-run gaming house, so the state could control and profit from gambling. The word casino itself comes from Italian, where it meant a small house or villa used for social gatherings.
Italy’s state lotteries also go back centuries. Today the lottery system is run under state concessions, with SuperEnalotto as the best-known draw.
Online gambling in Italy
Online casino games, poker, sports betting, bingo and lotteries are legal in Italy, but only on sites with an Italian ADM licence, which use the .it web address. ADM orders internet providers to block unlicensed gambling sites. Italy reformed its online licensing system in 2024. The new licences, which went live in November 2025, cost €7 million each, last nine years and allow only one website per licence, which closed hundreds of sites that ran as skins of other operators.
Since the 2018 Dignity Decree, nearly all gambling advertising and sponsorship is banned in Italy. Lifting the ban has been debated, but it remained in force through 2026.
US readers can check which states allow online casinos in our guide to online gambling in the US.
Sports betting, slots and lotteries
Licensed betting shops and slot halls are found across the country, and football (soccer) is by far the most popular sport to bet on. Slot machines in bars and dedicated halls make up a large share of Italian gambling spending, and many regions and towns limit their opening hours or locations. Horse racing betting is also legal through licensed operators.
Other European guides
Heading to the Iberian Peninsula as well? See our guide to casinos in Spain, or our Switzerland casinos guide if you are visiting Campione d’Italia.
Italy casinos FAQ
How many casinos are there in Italy?
Italy has four casino operations: Casinò di Venezia (with two sites), Sanremo, Saint-Vincent and Campione d’Italia.
What is the gambling age in Italy?
18.
Is online gambling legal in Italy?
Yes, on sites licensed by ADM. Unlicensed sites are blocked.
What was the first casino in Italy?
The Ridotto in Venice, opened by the Venetian government in 1638, is often called the world’s first public casino.
Please gamble responsibly. US readers can call or text the National Problem Gambling Helpline at 1-800-MY-RESET.