Recently, the European Union in Brussels, Belgium approved new regulations, which means that Italy has passed new rules for the import and operation of amusement games, and Italian trade will face new challenges in the future. All amusement machines in Italy are exempted from the new regulations with the exception of ticket redemption games, which remain "in a state of limbo," reports Italian industry media Gioco News. In addition to fresh technical demands, already published, there are now new regulations to be introduced shortly. Applicable from the beginning of 2022, games that do not comply with the new technical ruling cannot be distributed in Italy.

A new type of licence will be introduced from the beginning of 2022 that will open up a new definition of arcade – "environs dedicated" to pure entertainment. These are "venues exclusively dedicated to gaming with devices without cash prizes" and they may be bars, restaurants, newsstands, beach resorts, clubs and hotels.

Explains Gioco News: “This means that anyone who needs a licence for an arcade will be able to declare that he only used pure entertainment gaming in it, indicating that there are no gambling machines.” It adds that the licence will be able to restrict the number of games in the location. The Italian industry now awaits the completion of the framework of the new amusement regulations, establishing the approval criteria for certificates. The industry hopes that this may open the door to local, national and international competitions on video games and pin tables. (2021/06/25)