In the first two months of 2026, Italy’s total tax revenue remained broadly stable, but the gambling sector showed a clear downturn, standing out as one of the few areas in decline. This is according to the Ministry of Economy and Finance’s latest report on tax revenues.
Between January and February, total revenue from gambling activities reached €1.31 billion, down €186 million compared to the same period in 2025, a decrease of 12.4%. The drop is even more pronounced when looking only at indirect taxes related to gambling, which fell to €1.049 billion, down €216 million (-17.1%).
This trend contrasts with the broader tax picture. Total tax revenues amounted to €91.8 billion, only slightly down by 0.3% year-on-year. While indirect taxes overall increased by 2%, gambling moved in the opposite direction, negatively affecting revenues not directly linked to economic performance.
A closer look shows that the decline is largely driven by gaming machines. Revenue from machines and gaming devices fell to €800 million, a decrease of €143 million compared to 2025 (-15.2%), making this segment the main factor behind the sector’s overall contraction.
Monthly data highlights a sharp imbalance. In January, revenue dropped to €409 million from €694 million a year earlier, a steep decline of 41.1%. February showed a partial rebound, with revenue rising to €391 million compared to €249 million in 2025 (+57%). However, this recovery was not enough to offset the losses accumulated at the start of the year.
The downward trend becomes clearer when compared with previous years. In the same period of 2024, revenue from gaming machines stood at €978 million, then decreased to €943 million in 2025 and further to €800 million in 2026, confirming a steady contraction.
The annual figures also point in the same direction. Total revenue from gaming machines reached €5.244 billion in 2025, down from €5.423 billion in 2024, suggesting that the decline observed in early 2026 is part of a broader trend.
Meanwhile, other gambling segments show more moderate changes, and in some cases slight increases, particularly in February. However, these were not sufficient to compensate for the overall decline driven by machines.
Compared to other indirect taxes, the weakness of the gambling sector is even more evident. For example, tobacco tax revenue increased by 3.6% over the same period, while other taxes, such as inheritance and donation taxes, recorded much stronger growth. Excise duties also showed mixed but generally less negative trends.
Overall, the data points to a sector under pressure in the early months of 2026, with gaming machines at the center of the downturn. The trend may reflect changes in consumer behavior, regulatory impacts, or broader market dynamics, and will be closely watched in the coming months.
