ian legislators have launched a bidding process for 120 licences to operate online gaming in the country by publishing a notice in the Official Journal of the European Union.

Of these 120 online gambling licences, it is expected that around 40 will be issued to operators already present in the Italian gaming market who are looking to renew their licences.

Operators will be able to apply for licences in online sports betting, card games, slots, bingo and other regulated gambling activities.

The process was expected to be opened in mid September of 2017; however this was pushed back to the start of this year following unnamed delays.

Operators wishing to take part in the bidding process will have to pay €200,000 to participate, and must submit their bids by March 19th. The bidding process is expected to raise revenues of €24m for the country’s coffers.

All applicants will need to have a physical presence in a country in the European Economic Area in order to qualify to submit applications.

Submitted bids will be opened at 12pm on April 19th and will be reviewed in order of submission. Any issued licences will be valid until December 31st 2022.

Several operators including Winamax, Marathonbet and Pinnacle have already expressed an interest in obtaining a licence.