Italy Formalizes Data Sharing Procedure to Combat Suspicious Betting

A significant shift is occurring in Italy's approach to sports integrity. The Customs and Monopolies Agency (ADM) and the General Sports Prosecutor’s Office at CONI have signed a joint set of rules designed to streamline match-fixing investigations. This formal procedure marks a move from simple monitoring to targeted identification of individuals behind suspicious betting accounts. The agreement ensures that data flows more effectively between gambling regulators and sports investigators, focusing heavily on the nexus between betting activity and registered participants in professional sports.

The regulatory framework is built upon Decree-Law No. 96 of June 30, 2025, which was later converted into Law No. 119 on August 8, 2025. These rules mandate that if ADM systems detect an abnormal flow of bets, the agency is obligated to report this to the General Sports Prosecutor’s Office. A crucial requirement for the ADM is the justification of why a specific betting account is suspected of being linked to a specific athlete or official. This ensures that privacy is balanced with the need for rigorous oversight in the betting industry.

Numbers and facts

The speed of data transmission is at the heart of the new agreement. Previously, investigations were often hindered by bureaucratic delays. Under the rules announced on July 29, 2026, the CONI prosecutor can now request detailed information about specific events and the personal data of account holders. This is applicable if they are directly or indirectly linked to registered athletes, club members, or other affiliated participants. However, the ADM must prove the connection; a single anomalous betting pattern is not sufficient to trigger a full data release.

The system is designed to be bidirectional. A federal prosecutor can initiate proceedings based on qualified reports from external sources. In such instances, the ADM first verifies whether an abnormal flow of bets occurred before passing the data through the General Sports Prosecutor’s Office. This cross-verification prevents disciplinary proceedings from being initiated based solely on unverified rumors or minor statistical outliers.

"The document outlines how cases involving possible match-fixing are transferred from betting regulators to sports investigators. The main requirement for ADM is to explain why a specific betting account is linked to a specific athlete." - ADM Representative

Background

Italy's betting market is one of the most strictly regulated in the European sports economy. It operates on a hybrid model, maintaining a state monopoly while allowing private operators to function under licenses granted by the ADM. The legal landscape is governed by various laws, including Law No. 401 of 1989, which criminalizes sporting fraud. The 2026 update adds a technological layer to these protections. The ADM has announced plans to develop IT tools utilizing artificial intelligence (AI) to analyze betting data more effectively, though a specific launch date remains unconfirmed.

Why it matters for German players

For players in Germany, the Italian developments highlight a broader European trend toward transparency and data-driven regulation. Germany’s own Interstate Treaty on Gambling 2021 (GlüStV 2021) established the GGL to oversee the market with similar goals. While Italy focuses on the athlete-bettor link, Germany utilizes the LUGAS system to enforce a 1,000 Euro monthly deposit limit and the OASIS database for player exclusion.

German users of GGL-licensed platforms are protected by these high standards, ensuring their data is only used for legitimate AML and player protection purposes. The Italian initiative serves as a reminder that licensed markets are becoming increasingly sophisticated in detecting fraud, which ultimately protects honest players from the fallout of manipulated sporting events. Choosing GGL-licensed casinos remains the only way for German players to ensure they are playing in a safe, legal environment.

What it means for GGL-licensed casinos

Casinos operating with a German license must already meet stringent compliance requirements. The Italian model of integrating AI and formalizing data sharing between regulators and sports bodies could eventually influence EU-wide standards. For GGL-licensed operators, such advancements provide a level playing field by making it harder for illegal, non-licensed platforms to facilitate match-fixing. As regulators share more data, the visibility of legitimate operators increases, while the risks for those operating outside the law grow. The focus is clearly shifting toward advanced technological monitoring to safeguard the entire ecosystem.