Italian authorities have intensified their fight against illegal gambling, dismantling two unauthorized gaming operations in the province of Reggio Calabria. The coordinated enforcement action was carried out by Italy’s Financial Police together with the Customs and Monopolies Agency.
The most significant case involved an illegal gambling den in the town of Bovalino. Investigators determined that the venue was operating as a fully functional betting shop without holding a valid Italian licence. According to some reports, the business operated under a closed company name and violated numerous regulatory requirements, including national security and responsible gaming standards.
Authorities also revealed that the operation was linked to a Malta-licensed gambling organization, raising further concerns about cross-border regulatory compliance and the misuse of foreign licenses to illegally target the Italian market.
The enforcement actions come amid broader efforts by Italian lawmakers to curb unlicensed online gambling. The Ministry of Economy and Finance has previously outlined plans to strengthen digital oversight by filtering internet traffic directed at unauthorized gambling websites.
According to the proposal, the Customs and Monopolies Agency will implement a technological solution developed by SOGEI to automatically detect and block illegal casino domains.
Together, the recent raids and proposed digital controls signal Italy’s continued commitment to tightening oversight of both land-based and online gambling operations.
