Italy’s ADM Report: Sustainable Gambling, AI & Minors
Published: August 25, 2025 | Author: Ron Clarke
At Casin.com, we are always looking for interesting insights from the gambling world in Italy and beyond. One of the most interesting documents released recently comes from the Agenzia delle Dogane e dei Monopoli (ADM), which in May 2025 held its Stati Generali conference in Rome. A few weeks later, ADM published the “Relazione conclusiva di sintesi”, a final summary report that brings together the main discussions and contributions from the event.
Although the report reflects the debates from May, its conclusions remain just as relevant and thought-provoking today, shedding light on how gambling in Italy is evolving and where the industry might be heading.
From “Responsible Gambling” to “Sustainable Gambling”
One of the key themes is the shift from the idea of responsible gambling to what experts now call sustainable gambling. Rather than putting all the responsibility on players, sustainable gambling focuses on operators actively preventing harm while still providing entertainment. Industry leaders argued that the future lies in keeping gambling safe and enjoyable for a wide base of players, instead of pushing a small group to spend more and more.
For Italian players, this means more tools designed to keep play under control: AI monitoring systems, alerts when spending gets too high, and even apps that track wins and losses to help players realize when it’s time to slow down, whether they’re playing slots or classic tables like online roulette.
AI and Technology: The New Frontline
A big topic was the use of artificial intelligence. Companies like Playtech showcased systems that can detect risky play based on dozens of behavioral indicators, such as how often someone re-bets winnings or the amount of time spent at the tables.
Italy’s centralized gambling database makes this even more powerful: every licensed account is registered in one system, meaning player behavior can be tracked across all operators. Experts suggested that applying AI to this central database could be the next step in preventing problem gambling before it escalates.
Some even pointed to generative AI, like ChatGPT, being used to analyze customer support chats, spotting signs of distress in real time and offering personalized support.
Risks: Illegal Gambling and Minors
While technology offers new solutions, the report also highlighted risks. The illegal market remains a serious threat, especially if regulation is too restrictive. For example, when the Netherlands introduced a universal €700 monthly spending cap, nearly a third of players turned to unlicensed sites. Italian experts warned that such moves could backfire, driving people away from the safer regulated market.
Another urgent issue is underage gambling. Surveys show worrying participation rates among minors, and Italian family associations called for stronger cultural and institutional safeguards to prevent access by the young.
What Europe Is Doing
The report also compared Italy’s situation with other countries. In France, the regulator requires operators to file responsible gambling plans and has strengthened self-exclusion tools, with over 75,000 active self-exclusions today. In the UK, operators developed systems that flag risky patterns such as using multiple credit cards or excessive late-night play, sometimes even suspending accounts until players complete a risk assessment.
Why It Matters for Players
For casino players and gamblers, whether they prefer slots, card games, or online roulette, the ADM’s report offers two clear messages. First, Italy is seen as a pioneer in gambling regulation, and its centralized system remains one of the most advanced in the world. Second, the industry is moving toward a future where technology and regulation go hand in hand, with AI, stricter controls, and stronger safeguards shaping how gambling is offered and enjoyed.
The world of gambling is changing fast, with new rules, technologies, and protections on the horizon. And as always, we encourage our readers to play responsibly – set limits, keep it fun, and never risk more than you can afford to lose.
