Codere secures ADM license to enter Italy’s online gambling market

Codere Italia has formally entered the Italian regulated online gambling market with the launch of its new digital platform, Codere.it. The move marks an expansion from its traditional retail gambling services into the iGaming space, following the acquisition of an extended operating license from the Agenzia delle Dogane e dei Monopoli (ADM).

Codere has long been present in Italy through gaming halls, bingo venues, and a network of gaming machines placed in bars and other establishments. With its online platform now live, the company described the move as a significant milestone in consolidating its presence in one of Europe’s most competitive gaming sectors.

Alejandro Pascual, regional manager for Europe and country manager for Codere Italia, said the launch aligns with the group’s strategy to provide customers with a seamless experience across digital and physical channels.

“With Codere.it, we are taking a natural but strategic step: to also decisively consolidate the online segment, while maintaining our identity as a committed, regulated and customer-centric operator,” Pascual said.

“Our goal is to offer a consistent, high-quality omnichannel experience. Codere is strongly interested in developing collaborations with industry partners, particularly those already operating in Italy and wishing to continue operating online with the support of a strong and trusted brand.”

Roberto Russo, director of online operations at Codere Italia, emphasized the company’s focus on long-term growth and sustainability in the digital sector. “We have built a solid and scalable platform, ready to grow and adapt to the needs of our users and partners. Our approach is long-term, with the goal of creating a safe gaming ecosystem capable of establishing itself as a benchmark in the Italian market,” Russo said.

The expansion brings Codere into a consolidated but increasingly costly iGaming market in Italy. Earlier this year, the ADM concluded its tender process for new remote gambling concessions, awarding 46 licenses. The number of applicants marked a sharp decline compared to the 93 that applied in the previous round.

The new licensing model requires operators to pay a €7 million ($8.22 million) fee, a steep increase from the €200,000 ($234,810) fee charged under the previous system. In addition to entry costs, licensed operators face ongoing fiscal obligations, including tax rates of 24.5% on online sports betting gross gaming revenue (GGR) and 25.5% on online casino GGR. Companies are also subject to an annual fee of 3% of GGR and must allocate at least 0.2% of their GGR toward responsible gambling initiatives.

Despite these barriers, several international operators secured approval in the latest tender, including Betfair, Snaitech, and Sisal, each part of Flutter Entertainment, as well as 888 Italia, Bet365’s Hillside, LeoVegas, and William Hill.