Italian government is expected to show its hand on gambling
In a move viewed by many in the sector as the latest evidence of a shift towards the liberalisation of gambling in Europe, Rome will award new casino gaming licences to a range of national and international companies vying for the chance to run betting shops, kiosks, casino games and online gambling services. Europe’s €50bn ($65bn) betting market has become even more critical to the sector since the end of September when the US shut its doors to online gaming and arrested UK executives connected with what was far and away the fastest-growing part of the industry. The entire online gambling industry, which saw its value plunge by more than half virtually overnight after the US tightened its laws on online gaming, is now regrouping around Europe with new casino games offered in a variety of languages. 
The French parliament last month backed tougher measures to curb illegal gambling operators, signalling increasing political hostility to online gaming other than the state lottery, tote and licensed bricks and mortar casinos. “When it is not controlled, the offer of online gambling has the effect of supporting new forms of criminality and providing an important conduit for money laundering,” said Philippe Houillon, the deputy proposing the amendments. Â But, whatever the outcome of Mr McCreevy’s (internal market commissioner)Â legal challenges, the prospects of Europe-wide legislation on internet gambling are non-existent. “Not a chance,” Mr McCreevy told the European parliament last month.