Italy Betting Sites
Interestingly, the country has a long tradition when it comes to gambling – betting on various games and events goes back to the Roman Empire and has never seized, it only went through many changes and forms. The world’s first commercial casino opened in 1638 in what is now perceived as Italy’s most beautiful, romantic city, Venice. Even the term “casino” is of Italian origin (from “casa”, which means a house). While in the past, only the rich could afford to visit the gambling houses or engage in betting on horses and other races, these activities have become much more accessible in modern times.
Italian Sports Betting Sites Ranked by Trustpilot Rating
Sportsbook | Reviews | Rating |
---|---|---|
Starvegas | 2,105 | 2.9 ⭐ |
Sisal | 40 | 1.8 ⭐ |
Gioco Digitale | 265 | 1.5 ⭐ |
Betway | 16,781 | 1.4 ⭐ |
Unibet | 1,544 | 1.4 ⭐ |
bet365 | 4,691 | 1.3 ⭐ |
Novibet | 496 | 1.3 ⭐ |
Eurobet | 616 | 1.3 ⭐ |
Bwin | 1,563 | 1.3 ⭐ |
SNAI | 1,227 | 1.2 ⭐ |
888sport | 2,317 | 1.2 ⭐ |
Codere | 218 | 1.2 ⭐ |
NetBet | N/A | N/A |
Comparison of Sports Betting Sites in Italy
Sportsbook | Sports on Offer | Min Deposit | Min Withdrawal | Min Bet | Bonuses | Bonus Wagering Requirements | In-Play Betting | Licenses |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Betway | Football, Horse Racing, Golf, Basketball, Tennis, and 20+ other sports | $/€10 | $/€10 | $/€0.10 | • €50 Free Bets on First Losing Bet | Free bets must be fully wagered within 7 days | Yes | UKGC (#000-039372-R-319367) |
SNAI | Football, Tennis, Basketball, Volleyball, Virtual Sports and 15+ other sports | €10 | €15 | €0.50 | Welcome Bonus up to €30 | 50% Welcome Bonus up to €30; | Yes | Agenzia delle Dogane e dei Monopoli (15215) |
888sport | Football, Horse Racing, Tennis, American Football, and 20+ other sports | $/€10 | $/€10 | $/€0.10 | • €30 Free Bet on First Bet | Free bets must be fully wagered | Yes | UKGC (#039028-R-319297-012) |
bet365 | Football, Tennis, Speedway, Table Tennis, and 40+ other sports | $/€10 | $/€10 | $/€0.10 | New Account Offer up to €50 in Bet Credits | Place qualifying bets to release bet credits (New Account Offer) | Yes | UKGC (#055148-R-331498-001) |
Novibet | Basketball, Football, Soccer, Tennis, Hockey, Virtual Sports, and 30+ other sports | $5 - ApplePay, PaysafeCard$10 - Interac Instant, Credit/Debit card | $10 | $0.10 | Sports Welcome Bonus | 100% bonus up to $500; $10 minimum deposit requirement; Minimum betting odds 1.5; Turnover requirements must be met within 60 days (Sports Welcome Bonus) | Yes | Malta Gaming Authority (#MGA/CRP/186/2010) |
Starvegas | Football, Tennis, Basketball, and 20+ other sports | €10 | €10 | €0.10 | Multiple Bonus | Bet on 4 to 30 events; Get up to 200% extra bonus, based on the number of selected events; Minimum odds – 1.25; The bonus will be counted on tickets with events taking place within 7 days. | Yes | Agenzia delle Dogane e dei Monopoli (15231) |
Unibet | Hockey, Soccer, Cricket, eSports, Golf, and 30+ othersports | €10€15 for Neteller and Skrill | €10€15 for Visa | €0.10 | Welcome Offer: | Welcome Offer: | Yes | Irish Revenue Commissioners (1013174) Malta Gaming Authority (MGA/B2C/106/2000) UK Gambling Commission (045322-R-324275-017) Swedish Gambling Authority (SGA) Gibraltar Gambling Commissioner (No. 092) |
NetBet | Football, Horse Racing, Tennis, Basketball, Virtual Sports, and 35+ other sports | $/£/€10 | $/£/€10 | €0.07 for pre-live betting and €0.13 for live betting | N/A | N/A | Yes | MGA (MGA/B2C/126/2006) UKGC (39170) |
Codere | Football, Tennis, Basketball, Table Tennis, and 20+ other sports | €10 | Bank Transfer - €1Other methods - €20 | €0.10 | * 100% Bonus up to €200 | * 1x WR of deposit on minimum odds of 2.00 to release Free Bet bonus; No WR on Free Bet wins | Yes | |
Eurobet | Tennis, Football, Volley, Cricket, Hockey, and 20+ other sports | Poste Italiane: €5 All other payment methods: €10 | Bank Cards: €5 Postepay: €5 Digital Wallets: €5 Posteitaliane: €25 Bank Transfer: €25 Rapid Transfer: €5 Instant SEPA: €5 | N/A | Welcome Bonus: 100% up to €500 | N/A | Yes | Agenzia delle Dogane e dei Monopoli |
Sisal | Soccer, Volleyball, Cycling,Alpine Skiing, and 20 more sports | €10 | €10 | €1 | Welcome Bonus: Up to €800 | Requires collecting Only new customers | Yes | Agenzia delle Dogane e dei Monopoli (Concession 15155) |
Gioco Digitale | Football, Formula 1, Basketball, and 20+ other sports | €10 | €10 | €0.10 | Welcome Bonus | MInimum deposit – €30; Bettors receive €2.50 bonus once they create an account and then €2.50 once they verify it; Extra €5 to bet on Bingo; Minimum odds of 2.5. Payments must be made within 7 days of opening the account | Yes | Agenzia delle Dogane e dei Monopoli (15028) |
Bwin | Football, Tennis, Basketball, Ice Hockey, Darts, and 30+ other sports | £/$/€10 | £/$/€10 | £/$/€0.50 | €100 Bonus for New Customers | Get up to €100 back as a FreeBet if your bet does not win; | Yes | MGA (MGA/CRP/688/2019) UKGC (54743) |
Top 13 Betting Sites for Italy
Betway
Bet Now ReviewLicensesUKGC (#000-039372-R-319367) MGA (#MGA/B2C/130/2006) GGL (#RPDA-Dez. III. 34-73c 38.01/8-2019/13) Western Cape Gambling and Racing Board (#10181496-010)Min Deposit$/€10Min Withdrawal$/€10Withdrawal Time• E-wallets - up to 24 hours• Debit cards and bank transfers - 2 business daysDeposit MethodsSponsorshipsArsenal FC, West Ham United FC, Brighton & Hove Albion FC, Atletico Madrid FCContact DetailsLive Chat: Yes Email: support@betway.com Phone: varies according to country- Over 10 years of experience
- High betting limits
- Prompt and professional support service
- Great odds for more than 30 sports
- Available in 11 languages
- Live streaming of major sporting events
Betway is a reputable sports betting brand that holds licenses from the Italian Customs and Monopolies Agency as well as from the UKGC and MGA. The bookie is highly valued for the great diversity of sports it covers accompanied by multiple bet types and competitive odds. The undisputed favorite on the platform is soccer, as the bookmaker even sponsors some club teams. Among the other popular disciplines, you can find American football, horse racing, tennis, and others. Italian punters can fund their accounts via a good selection of universally accepted payment methods as well as by using CartaSi.
SNAI
Min Deposit€10Min Withdrawal€15Withdrawal Time1-3 business daysDeposit MethodsSponsorshipsN/AContact DetailsLive Chat: YesContact Us FormEmail: info@snai.it- Italian gambling platform
- Multiple bonuses and promotions
- 25+ sports
- A selection of in-house payment methods
- Downloadable mobile applications
- No language versions
Italians are known for being avid sports fans and keen on betting as well. Although lots of major international online sportsbooks operate in the country, many local punters prefer enjoying their pastime via platforms that are specifically tailored to the Italian betting market. Such a bookmaker is SNAI. It pleases its customers with a huge number of events to bet on, around 1,500 live streams per month, and a selection of lucrative sport-related promotions. The bookie enables both pre-match and in-play wagering on more than 25 disciplines and also has Entertainment and Politics sections. Being an Italian brand, SNAI supports a range of exclusive payment methods such as PostePay, SnaiPay, and others.
888sport
Bet Now ReviewLicensesUKGC (#039028-R-319297-012) MGA (#MGA/CRP/543/2018) Government of Gibraltar (#112 and #113)Min Deposit$/€10Min Withdrawal$/€10Withdrawal Time• E-wallets and Rapid Transfer - 2-3 days• Visa and ApplePay - up to 6 days• Wire transfer - 5-8 daysDeposit MethodsSponsorshipsNational Football League (NFL), Dundalk Football Club, Cardiff City FCContact DetailsLive Chat: Yes email: support@888sport.com Phone: N/A- In-play betting
- Long history in the gambling industry
- Dozens of payment solutions supported
- Wide range of sports
- Good mobile support
- Dedicated mobile app
888sport is among the most popular players on the online betting scene nowadays. Italian betting enthusiasts who decide to join the sportsbook will be satisfied with the markedly extensive soccer section which not only includes all major international tournaments but also covers the domestic leagues of about 60 countries including Serie A, Serie B, and Coppa Italia. A small part of the disciplines you can place your bet on are tennis, snooker, MMA, American football, and esports. Except for bank transfers that may take up to 3 business days, all deposit methods will fund your account balance in no more than 10 minutes.
bet365
Bet Now ReviewLicensesUKGC (#055148-R-331498-001) MGA (#MGA/CRP/531/2018) Government of Gibraltar (#076) +10 jurisdictions (including US states)Min Deposit$/€10Min Withdrawal$/€10Withdrawal Time* E-wallets - 1-4 hours* Debit Card - 1-4 hours* Credit Cards - 1-5 days* Wire Transfer - up to 12 hoursDeposit MethodsSponsorshipsUEFA Champions LeagueContact DetailsLive Chat: Yes email: support.eng@customerservices365.com Phone: 00 800 1236 5365- Broad experience on the online gambling scene
- Several bonuses and promotions
- Responsive customer support
- Apps for iOS and Android users
- Advantageous odds
- Great market coverage
Among the global betting operators authorized to operate in Italy is also bet365. It holds a license from the local ADM as well as the UKGC and MGA. This is the strictest possible combination of regulatory bodies so Italian betting enthusiasts have no reasons to worry about the trustworthiness of this bookmaker. Local payment services are not supported by bet365. Instead, deposits and withdrawals can be executed via bank cards, e-wallets including PayPal and ApplePay, wire transfers, etc., so you are sure to find a method that works for you. All transactions are fee-free on behalf of the online sportsbook.
Novibet
Min Deposit$5 - ApplePay, PaysafeCard$10 - Interac Instant, Credit/Debit cardMin Withdrawal$10Withdrawal TimeWithin 1 hourDeposit MethodsSponsorshipsFortaleza, Huachipato FC, Aris FC, Atromitos FC, Volos FC, Asteras Tripolis, Panaitolikos, Panserraikos, Omonoia, AnorthosisContact DetailsLive Chat: Yes Email: support@novibet.com- Coverage of top sports, offering different bet markets
- Dedicated Android and iOS apps
- Convenient payment options
- 24/7 customer support
- Bountiful promotions for newcomers and regular bettors
- High level protection via SSL encryption
Established in 2010, Novibet is a trusted online bookmaker that has been constantly improving the quality of its services for more than 10 years. The localization approach applied by the bookie is represented in its several active licenses as well as in the fact that it has developed individual websites for some of its main markets including Italy. Soccer, tennis, and basketball are the leading sports in the portfolio of Novibet with disciplines like motorsports, box, and American football also enjoying very good coverage. Bettors who like to back up their wagers with statistical information do not need to look for it on other platforms since Novibet publishes extensive data about each discipline it features.
Starvegas
Min Deposit€10Min Withdrawal€10Withdrawal TimeBank cards: 2-3 business daysE-wallets: instant after approvalDeposit MethodsSponsorshipsN/AContact DetailsLive Chat: YesEmail: supporto@it.starvegas.itPhone: 800 596738- Mobile-friendly betting platform
- Fast withdrawals
- Decent selection of payment methods
- Extensive soccer coverage
- Multiple bet types
- Customer support via email and phone
Although not universally popular, StarVegas is a gambling brand known to a great number of punters residing in Italy. The online sportsbook is packed up with a well-selected list of sports, and we assume there is no need to tell you that the number of betting events in the soccer category far exceeds that of the other disciplines. For some matches betting enthusiasts can choose between more than 100 betting markets just as it would be with any global online bookmaker. Among the advantages of StarVegas is the high withdrawal speed with the fastest payment method being e-wallets – up to 24 hours.
Unibet
ReviewLicensesIrish Revenue Commissioners (1013174)Malta Gaming Authority (MGA/B2C/106/2000)UK Gambling Commission (045322-R-324275-017)Swedish Gambling Authority (SGA)Gibraltar Gambling Commissioner (No. 092)Min Deposit€10€15 for Neteller and SkrillMin Withdrawal€10€15 for VisaWithdrawal TimeCards: 1 to 3 daysDirect Banking: 1 to 3daysE-Wallets: Up to 12hoursDeposit MethodsSponsorshipsMiddlesbrough FCCheltenham FestivalNHL SwedenF.C. CopenhagenPFL Europe DivisionContact DetailsLive Chat: YesEmail: info@unibetsupport.comPhone: 0808 1686635- Superb native apps for iOS and Android
- Market diversity and great odds for all major sporting events
- A broad range of live betting markets
- Live streaming of more than 40,000 events each year
- Clean, easy-to-use interface
- Various promotional offers for sports fans
Unibet is a preferred option for those punters who prefer betting via major international gambling operators. The bookie holds a license issued by the UKGC and its activity on the territory of Italy is regulated by ADM. With an experience of about 25 years, Unibet already knows the habits of modern betting enthusiasts well and provides them with a bundle of advantageous features such as live streams, extensive statistical information, and lucrative promotional offers. The bookie allows its Italian patrons to fund their accounts via bank transfers, Visa, Mastercard, and Paysafecard transactions as well as deposits via the locally popular Earthport and PostePay.
NetBet
Min Deposit$/£/€10Min Withdrawal$/£/€10Withdrawal TimeBank cards - 2-4 business daysE-wallets - 1 business dayBank transfers - up to 48 hoursDeposit MethodsSponsorshipsPremier League West Bromwich Albion; Ligue 1 St. Etienne, FC Steaua BucureștiContact DetailsLive Chat: YesEmail: support@netbet.comPhone: N/A- A reliable virtual sportsbook
- Offers various promotions
- Provides a dedicated mobile application
- Supports various payment options
- Presents punters with a wide range of betting options
- Live streaming of big sporting events
The presence of NetBet on the online sports betting scene dates back to 2001, so it falls into the group of trustworthy old hands which you can safely refer to when it comes to wagering on sports. The Italian platform is equipped with an abundant selection of sports, multiple bet types, a very good in-play section, and other treats which contribute to having fun and profitable betting experience. Instant deposits and 24-hour withdrawals are supported meaning you will have your funds at your disposal almost anytime. NetBet is one of the few bookies that accept Revolut transactions in addition to the payment methods commonly used.
Codere
LicensesDGOJ (license)Min Deposit€10Min WithdrawalBank Transfer - €1Other methods - €20Withdrawal Time* Instant Banking - instant/ up to a few hours* E-wallets - instant/ up to 8 hours* Bank Transfer - 2-3 days* Hal-Cash - instant/ a few minutesDeposit MethodsSponsorshipsMonterrey Rayados FCContact DetailsLive Chat: Yes Email: apuestas@codere.com Phone: 913432950- Both popular and niche disciplines
- Several gambling products
- Virtual betting section
- High-level security measures
- Live chat available between 9:00h and 21:00h
- User-friendly betting interface
Codere is a reliable online bookmaker that has a lot to offer to Italian betting enthusiasts. No downloadable app has been developed but the website runs smoothly on Android, iOS, Windows, Mac, and Linux devices so you should have no troubles using the platform while on the go. Punters can place their wagers on about 30 sports with the leading disciplines being soccer, tennis, and Formula 1. If you have any difficulties while using Codere’s platform, feel free to contact the friendly and professional customer care team by email and live chat. Keep in mind, however, that the service is available within certain working hours.
Eurobet
Min DepositPoste Italiane: €5 All other payment methods: €10Min WithdrawalBank Cards: €5 Postepay: €5 Digital Wallets: €5 Posteitaliane: €25 Bank Transfer: €25 Rapid Transfer: €5 Instant SEPA: €5Withdrawal TimeBank Cards: 2-10 days Postepay: 2-10 days Digital Wallets: up to 1 working day Posteitaliane (check): up to 10 working days Posteitaliane (domestic bank transfer): up to 3-5 working days Bank Transfer: up to 2-3 borking days Rapid Transfer: Instant Instant SEPA: InstantDeposit MethodsSponsorshipsJuventusContact DetailsLive Chat: Yes Email: servizioclienti@eurobet.it- Competitive odds on lots of disciplines
- Great soccer coverage
- Lots of horse racing events
- Various local payment solutions
- Beneficial loyalty program
- Android and iOS dedicated applications
Our selection of reliable online betting platforms operating in Italy continues with Eurobet, a sportsbook designed with Italian punters in mind. OKTO.CASH and OnShop are just part of the local payment services bettors can use to fund their accounts with. The other solutions include bank cards, e-wallets, and prepaid vouchers with some of them enabling deposits as low as €5. As regards withdrawals, the respective transaction limits become evident after registering your account with the maximum not exceeding €5,000. Eurobet’s portfolio comprises multiple sports with the ones having the most extensive coverage being soccer and horse racing.
Sisal
LicensesAgenzia delle Dogane e dei Monopoli (Concession 15155)Min Deposit€10Min Withdrawal€10Withdrawal TimeBank Transfer: 1 to 2 daysOther Methods: Instant after approvalDeposit MethodsSponsorshipsN/AContact DetailsLive Chat: YesEmail: info@sisal.itPhone: +39 028 2900 563 (international)800 558 822 (domestic toll-free line)- Award-winning sports betting operator
- 24/7 customer support
- Quick fee-free withdrawals
- Huge selection of soccer betting markets
- Separate virtual sports and horse racing sections
- Extensive sports blog
Sisal is one of the most well-known gambling brands that serve the Italian betting market. As such, it has welcomed millions of users through the years providing them with a wide selection of sporting events, permanent and short-term promotions, and round-the-clock customer support. Although Sisal is considered an oldie in today’s modern betting environment, it does not lag behind the latest trends and pleases its clients with an excellent in-play section and quite a few high-quality live streams every day. The maximum limit for withdrawals ranges quite widely – from €999 for points of sale to €30,000 for bank transfers.
Gioco Digitale
Min Deposit€10Min Withdrawal€10Withdrawal TimeBank cards - 3-5 business days Bank transfers - 2-5 business daysDeposit MethodsSponsorshipsN/AContact DetailsLive Chat: Yes Email: contract@giocodigitale.it Phone: N/A- Features over 25 sports
- Lots of bet types on most disciplines
- Diverse selection of payment solutions
- Withdrawals of up to €70,000
- Tempting promotional offers
- Live streams of selected events
Among the names well-known to Italian betting enthusiasts is that of Gioco Digitale. It has developed a fully packed online gambling hub comprising a very good sportsbook as well as casino, live casino, bingo, poker, and game show sections. As regards the sports punters can place their bets on, they range from popular disciplines like soccer, tennis, and basketball to niche options such as snooker, darts, and water polo. The bookmaker has taken care to provide its users with a rich selection of deposit and withdrawal methods. Just a part of the available options is ApplePay, PostePay, PayPal, Epay, etc.
Bwin
Min Deposit£/$/€10Min Withdrawal£/$/€10Withdrawal TimeUp to 5 business daysDeposit MethodsSponsorshipsUEFA Europa League UEFA Conference League Belgian First Division A Belgian First Division B EuroleagueContact DetailsLive Chat: YesEmail: support@bwin.com- Markedly rich selection of sports
- Over 30,000 online bets per day
- Established betting brand with 20 million customers worldwide
- A set of sports betting promotions
- Safe payment methods
- Live streaming of multiple sporting events
Bwin is a top-class online bookmaker enjoying generally positive feedback by punters residing in Italy and other mainly European countries. The sportsbook is licensed by the ADM and UKGC to name just a couple of the reputable regulation bodies that monitor its operations. Bwin’s platform is distinguished for its excellent live betting section and great bet types assortment including multiple extra bets for popular events. Bettors who use PostePay or any of the supported e-wallets can benefit from quick withdrawals of around 24 hours while those operating with credit/debit cards or bank transfers will have to wait up to 5 business days before having access to their winnings.
Similarly to many other European countries, Italy outlawed gambling in the early 20th century but various forms of skill-based gambling such as sports betting were available legally. With the emergence of the Internet and the liberalization of the gambling market, online betting rose in popularity. Local, as well as international sports betting operators, applied for licenses and eventually made the Italian sector the second-largest gambling industry in Europe, only after the United Kingdom.
Legality and Regulation of Sports Betting in Italy
In 2006, the government was forced to introduce legal changes as the gambling regulation in Italy was not compatible with the policies of the European Union. Blocking non-Italian operators was considered infringement of the freedom of establishment and the freedom to provide cross-border services defined in the EEC Treaty. The market was then opened to foreign operators as long as they were based within the EU or EFTA (European Free Trade Association). Gradually, the country started relaxing the legislation concerning other types of games and betting via Ministerial Decrees and amendments to various laws, including the Gambling Law.
Today, online sports betting can be offered by Italian and international companies that have licenses issued by the Amministrazione Autonoma dei Monopoli di Stato (Autonomous Administration of the State Monopolies or AAMS). In order to successfully obtain a gambling or betting license from the Italian regulator, operators need to meet certain requirements and take part in public tenders. This administrative body is part of the national gambling authority called ADM (Italian Agency of Customs and Monopoly). The ADM is responsible for the regulation, control, and supervision of all land-based and online forms of gambling – casino games, poker, bingo, lotteries, social and skill games, betting on sports and horse races, and fantasy betting.
The tax regime for land-based and online sports betting operations has also changed in the past decade. Rather than based on turnover (the total sales generated by companies, also called income or gross revenue), the tax rate is now based on profit or GGR. The gross gaming revenue or GGR is the total bets minus the winnings paid to gamblers and this is the earnings before taxes and other expenses, so GGR is not technically the same as profit. Online sports betting operators are required to pay 22% of their GGR, whereas the tax rate for land-based sports betting operations is lower at 18% of GGR. In addition, they need to pay a mandatory €350,000 fee to the AAMS. Currently, a total of 120 gambling licenses have been issued.
Bettors, on the other hand, are not required to pay any taxes on their winnings. Another very important thing is that although it is illegal to bet on unlicensed sites, authorities have not taken legal action against players.
Key Sports Betting Laws
The Ministerial Decree no. 111 from 1 March 2006 allows and regulates sports betting on events other than horse races. It also regulates online fixed-odds betting and sports betting, including betting exchanges and live betting. In 2011, an ADM Decree introduced legal horserace betting online, while two years later, on 12 February 2013, the ADM issued another decree to regulate online virtual betting. In addition, system-based fixed odds bets in land-based establishments are allowed and regulated by ADM Decree dated 27 July 2016.
Italian Sporting Events Coverage and Markets
Of course, Italian betting sites offer many more soccer markets, including bets on popular tournaments such as the Champions League, FIFA World Cup, and many others. Other incredibly popular sports in the country are basketball, cycling, and volleyball and all sportsbooks cover the major leagues and events for the respective sport – NBA, NCAAB, Euroleague, Tour de France, Giro d’Italia, and many more. The outrights on these sports are the most preferred markets, although betting sites would also offer lines, point spreads, totals, and props on basketball and volleyball.
Motorsports also enjoy huge popularity among sports fans and bettors in Italy, with Formula 1 races being the top events in this category. Of course, most people know that the country’s F1 team Ferrari is one of the most successful manufacturers in the history of the races. Along with wagering on F1, Italian bettors can also place outright bets on various other motorsport events such as Dakar Rally, the Grand Prix, MotoGP, or Nascar.
When speaking of sports betting in Italy, we cannot miss one particular winter sport, skiing. Only a few nations are famous for their skiing teams and skiers and Italy is certainly one of them. With more than 2 million skiers, the country is quite prolific in this sport and has received multiple medals in the Winter Olympic Games, the World Cup, and the World Championship. Outrights are usually available, as well as other types of bets, depending on the particular event. Sites also cover other winter sports such as biathlon and ski jumping.
Tennis is also quite popular in the country and fans can bet on the first set winner or on their favorite player to win outright. All major events are typically covered and often, bettors can enjoy live streams on their computer or mobile device. In fact, as most Italians watch sports and a large part of them also place bets on sporting events, betting sites that cater to Italian audiences would feature extensive live betting sections supported by live streams and statistics.
As some of the world’s leading sports betting operators have entered the local market, plenty of other sports are available to their customers. Bettors can wager on rugby, hockey, football (American football as it is known in Europe), baseball, boxing and MMA, golf, darts, pool and snooker, horse races and greyhounds. Bets on virtual sports, handball, cricket, badminton, and many others are also available.
Popular Odds Format in Italy
Before explaining the decimal odds, which are most commonly used in Italy, we should understand the concept of chance or of probability, to be exact. Every event, in a sports competition or in a game of chance, has a certain probability of happening. When rolling a dice, for instance, you know that the probability of each outcome happening is 1 out of six – it is 6 to 1 (6:1) or in percentages, 16.66%. The higher the percentage, the more probable an event is to happen.
While the probability is not directly related to the odds in sports betting, it is very useful being a successful bettor in the long term as it shows how likely a certain outcome is – for instance, how likely it is that Manchester United (which plays in the Premier League, the top league of English soccer) will defeat Reading F.C. (the second-tier league). In order to find out whether the odds offered on the match have true value, you need to compare them with the probability.
So, let us see the decimal odds. Unlike fractional odds, which show the profit, decimal odds indicate the possible returns – the winnings plus the bet amount. They show the returns for a single unit wagered. For example, if a betting site offers odds of 1.85 for Manchester United to win, this means that if your bet wins, you will receive $1.85 – for a $1 bet, you will earn $0.85. These odds come with a specific implied probability that can be calculated very easily – 1/1.85, which is 0.54 or 54%.
The odds then imply that the two teams Man United and Reading are almost equally likely to win, which every soccer fan would probably know well that is not true. In reality, Manchester is much more likely to win – the actual percentage should be higher and the potential winnings should be lower. You can then easily conclude that the odds offered by the sportsbook have great value.
Payment Solutions for Sports Bettors from Italy
When it comes to the payment processors available at Italian betting sites, they are more or less the same credit and debit cards, bank transfers, and e-wallets that you would find across Europe. Mastercard and Visa-branded cards are universally accepted in Italy, while Amex cards (American Express) would be available as payment methods at only some of the international sportsbooks. Often, credit and debit cards come with annual fees (up to €100) that must be taken into consideration.
Prepaid cards are also extremely popular among Italians and one particular brand is offered at almost all sports betting sites – Postepay. It is issued by the Italian Post Service and can be used for both online and in-store payments, for paying utility bills, ATM withdrawals, and many more. There are several different Postepay cards – Standard, Evolution, Connect, and Evolution Business and they use the payment systems of either Visa and Mastercard. Bettors can instantly deposit funds into online sportsbooks and they can even withdraw their winnings to some of these cards.
Digital wallets have also become quite widely accepted at Italian sports betting sites and due to their convenience, low costs, and fast processing, they are often preferred by bettors, as well. Italian betting fans can use Skrill, Neteller, and PayPal, although there may be some restrictions regarding betting and gambling-related transfers made via PayPal. There are also various alternative payment methods such as instant bank transfers, prepaid vouchers, and more.
One very popular option is MyBank, which allows Italian bettors to make deposits to sportsbooks directly from their banking accounts. This instant bank transfer system was launched several years ago by nine banking groups and is now available to the customers of around 30 financial institutions in the country. In addition, most sports betting sites, whether they are Italian or foreign operators, offer traditional bank transfers conducted via bettors’ online banking accounts. Cryptocurrencies, on the other hand, are not widely available as Bitcoin, Litecoin and similar currencies are not very popular in Italy.
Bonuses and Rewards for Italian Sports Bettors
The most common offers are the sign-up free bets that every sports betting fan receive after registering an account and depositing a small amount of money, usually $/€10 or $/€20. This free bet is not a cash bonus and is typically credited to the user account after a qualifying bet has been made and settled. The betting site then matches the wagered deposit 100% and gives the customer a free bet token that can be used for betting on certain markets. Any winnings generated from it can be withdrawn immediately. Some welcome bonuses would require bettors to make several bets and see them settled before giving them free bets. Usually, the value of the free bets ranges from $/€10 to $/€50. There is usually a maximum amount allowed and it rarely exceeds $/€200.
Other special offers available to bettors in Italy are the so-called cashback bonuses. Sometimes, they are given on all deposited funds that have been lost throughout the week, while in other cases, cashback is given only if you lose your bet on certain sports events. The cashback would be up to 40% of the wagered amount (although some sportsbooks offer more) and the bonus itself is given as a free bet that can be used on the betting site.
There are many other bonuses available to Italian bettors – sportsbooks offer various boosts on the winnings in a particular sport, league, or betting market. They also give enhanced odds on selected matches, events, or championships. Of course, all these come with its own set of terms and conditions that need to be considered in advance.
Customer Support at Italian Sports Betting Sites
Bettors in Italy can also rely on professional and trained support representatives fluent in Italian. There are many bookmakers and gambling-related sites, so in order to attract new punters and keep them entertained and engaged for a long time, good betting sites would try to do their best to guarantee customer satisfaction. This is why they would also offer different bonuses and free bets over email or directly in the live chat.