{"id":132606,"date":"2026-10-30T09:08:14","date_gmt":"2026-10-30T08:08:14","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.kryptocasinos.com\/en\/news\/flutter-closes-betfair-italy-regulatory-changes\/"},"modified":"2026-10-30T09:08:14","modified_gmt":"2026-10-30T08:08:14","slug":"flutter-closes-betfair-italy-regulatory-changes","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.kryptocasinos.com\/en\/news\/flutter-closes-betfair-italy-regulatory-changes\/","title":{"rendered":"Flutter to Close Betfair in Italy Amid New Licensing Rules"},"content":{"rendered":"<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Flutter Withdraws Betfair from Italy \u2013 Regulatory Changes Make Operations Commercially Unviable<\/p>\n\n<span class=\"anchor\" id=\"key-takeaways\" title=\"Key Takeaways\"><\/span><h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Key Takeaways<\/h2>\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li>Flutter Entertainment will close its Betfair Exchange, Sportsbook, and Casino products in Italy due to regulatory updates.<\/li><li>The operator retains its prominent Italian market position through the Sisal, Snai, and PokerStars brands.<\/li><li>Italy introduced separate brand licenses costing \u20ac7 million each under a 2024 legislative framework.<\/li><li>Flutter recorded a $296 million global net loss in the second quarter of 2026 amid rising operational costs.<\/li><\/ul>\n\n<span class=\"anchor\" id=\"new-concessions-force-market-exit-for-betfair\" title=\"New Concessions Force Market Exit for Betfair\"><\/span><h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">New Concessions Force Market Exit for Betfair<\/h2>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Flutter Entertainment is shutting down its <strong>Betfair Exchange, Sportsbook, and Casino<\/strong> operations in Italy. A company spokesperson stated that recent regulatory shifts rendered the exchange product commercially unsustainable. The operator will therefore discontinue all Betfair products in the Italian market shortly.<br>\nItaly reformed its online gambling framework through <strong>Legislative Decree No. 41 in March 2024<\/strong>. The revised structure mandates separate licenses for individual brands. Each concession costs <strong>\u20ac7 million<\/strong> ($7.79 million) and remains valid for up to nine years.<br>\nThe updated framework introduces stricter player protection, compliance, and platform standards. Betting exchanges now fall under standard fixed-odds betting regulations. Flutter secured five licenses in <strong>September 2025<\/strong> before the new concessions took effect on November 13 that year.<\/p>\n\n<span class=\"anchor\" id=\"exchange-model-requires-high-customer-activity\" title=\"Exchange Model Requires High Customer Activity\"><\/span><h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Exchange Model Requires High Customer Activity<\/h2>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The Betfair Exchange operates on a distinct peer-to-peer structure rather than a traditional sportsbook model. Customers place bets directly against one another on the platform. Users can choose to back a specific outcome or oppose it entirely.<br>\nThe platform generates revenue by collecting a commission on winning bets. This business model requires substantial customer activity to effectively match all placed wagers. Flutter has not specified whether low liquidity contributed directly to the withdrawal.<br>\nThe company did not state if licensing costs, exchange rules, or broader compliance requirements ultimately determined the final decision. The operator described the affected Betfair products as a very small part of its overall Italian revenue.<\/p>\n\n<span class=\"anchor\" id=\"sisal-and-snai-sustain-italian-market-presence\" title=\"Sisal and Snai Sustain Italian Market Presence\"><\/span><h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Sisal and Snai Sustain Italian Market Presence<\/h2>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Italy remains the third-largest region for Flutter as part of its Southern Europe and Africa division. This segment generated <strong>$896 million in revenue<\/strong> during the first half of 2026, representing a 36% year-on-year increase. The withdrawal of Betfair will have a limited financial impact due to the strong performance of other local brands.<br>\nThe operator continues to serve Italian customers through <strong>Sisal, Snai, and PokerStars<\/strong>. Flutter finalized its acquisition of Snaitech in April 2025. The company subsequently transferred Snai users to the Sisal technology platform in <strong>April 2026<\/strong> as part of a cost-reduction program.<br>\nThis consolidation strategy quickly yielded positive results. Sisal achieved its highest market share in June. Flutter might expand this presence further by pursuing a proposed scratchcard concession if the Meloni government proceeds with a tender.<\/p>\n\n<span class=\"anchor\" id=\"group-financials-show-revenue-growth-amid-wider-losses\" title=\"Group Financials Show Revenue Growth Amid Wider Losses\"><\/span><h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Group Financials Show Revenue Growth Amid Wider Losses<\/h2>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The Betfair closure aligns with a broader corporate effort to integrate acquisitions and manage expenses. Flutter reported a <strong>$296 million net loss<\/strong> in the second quarter of 2026. The company had recorded a $37 million profit during the same period a year earlier.<br>\nGroup revenue increased by 3% to reach <strong>$4.33 billion<\/strong>. Adjusted EBITDA dropped 45% to $508 million. Weaker US profitability, higher marketing costs, and increased UK gambling taxes drove the earnings decline.<br>\nHistorical tax provisions in India and the US negatively affected the balance sheet. Acquisition financing and depreciation costs added to the financial pressure. The company announced additional cost-reduction measures in August.<\/p>\n\n<span class=\"anchor\" id=\"executive-transition-follows-restructuring-efforts\" title=\"Executive Transition Follows Restructuring Efforts\"><\/span><h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Executive Transition Follows Restructuring Efforts<\/h2>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The structural changes coincide with a shift in senior leadership. <strong>Dan Taylor<\/strong> assumed the role of Group CEO on October 1. He succeeds Peter Jackson in steering the global operations.<br>\nThe new leadership faces an evolving Italian market where the Finance Ministry projects <strong>\u20ac1 billion<\/strong> ($1.11 billion) in gambling tax revenue across 2027 and 2028. The company must now navigate these stricter frameworks while competing with potential tender rivals like LottoItalia, a consortium comprising Allwyn, Arianna 2001, Novomatic Italia, and IGT.<\/p>\n\n<span class=\"anchor\" id=\"our-assessment\" title=\"Our Assessment\"><\/span><h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Our Assessment<\/h2>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Flutter\u2019s decision to close Betfair in Italy highlights the financial pressure created by the \u20ac7 million per-brand licensing fee introduced in 2024. The requirement for separate concessions makes niche products like betting exchanges difficult to sustain under strict compliance frameworks. Retaining market leaders like Sisal and Snai allows the company to absorb the Betfair closure without sacrificing its strong position in Southern Europe. The ongoing cost reductions and leadership transition indicate a clear focus on operational efficiency amidst wider global losses.<\/p>\n\n<div class=\"gambling-disclaimer\">\n\t<p>\n\t\tWe have imposed strict editorial guidelines on ourselves and explain our testing methods openly and comprehensively. We also communicate transparently how our work is financed. This site may contain tracking links, but this does not influence our objective view in any way.\t<\/p>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Flutter Entertainment will shut down its Betfair operations in Italy following recent regulatory updates. The company retains a strong market presence through its Sisal, Snai, and PokerStars brands.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":8,"featured_media":132605,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"inline_featured_image":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[],"tags":[],"news_crypto_coin":[],"class_list":["post-132606","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail"],"acf":{"faqs":null,"sort_number":12,"sort_number_no_override":false},"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO Premium plugin v28.2 (Yoast SEO v28.3) - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-premium-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>Flutter Closes Betfair Italy - Sisal and Snai Remain<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Flutter Entertainment is withdrawing Betfair from Italy due to new regulatory costs. Sisal, Snai, and PokerStars will continue operating in the market.\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/www.kryptocasinos.com\/en\/news\/flutter-closes-betfair-italy-regulatory-changes\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Kryptocasinos.com EN\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"Flutter Entertainment is withdrawing Betfair from Italy due to new regulatory costs. Sisal, Snai, and PokerStars will continue operating in the market.\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/www.kryptocasinos.com\/en\/news\/flutter-closes-betfair-italy-regulatory-changes\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"Kryptocasinos.com\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:publisher\" content=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/kryptocasinoscomm\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:published_time\" content=\"2026-10-30T08:08:14+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:image\" content=\"https:\/\/www.kryptocasinos.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/flutter-closes-betfair-italy-regulatory-changes.jpg\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:width\" content=\"1408\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:height\" content=\"736\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:type\" content=\"image\/jpeg\" \/>\n<meta name=\"author\" content=\"Isabella Brown\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:card\" content=\"summary_large_image\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:label1\" content=\"Written by\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data1\" content=\"Isabella Brown\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:label2\" content=\"Est. reading time\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data2\" content=\"4 minutes\" \/>\n<script type=\"application\/ld+json\" class=\"yoast-schema-graph\">{\"@context\":\"https:\\\/\\\/schema.org\",\"@graph\":[{\"@type\":\"NewsArticle\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.kryptocasinos.com\\\/en\\\/news\\\/flutter-closes-betfair-italy-regulatory-changes\\\/#article\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.kryptocasinos.com\\\/en\\\/news\\\/flutter-closes-betfair-italy-regulatory-changes\\\/\"},\"author\":{\"name\":\"Isabella Brown\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.kryptocasinos.com\\\/en\\\/#\\\/schema\\\/person\\\/badee6a5ed8b6777da5bd380d112bcdc\"},\"headline\":\"Flutter to Close Betfair in Italy Amid New Licensing Rules\",\"datePublished\":\"2026-10-30T09:08:14+01:00\",\"mainEntityOfPage\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.kryptocasinos.com\\\/en\\\/news\\\/flutter-closes-betfair-italy-regulatory-changes\\\/\"},\"wordCount\":716,\"commentCount\":0,\"publisher\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.kryptocasinos.com\\\/en\\\/#organization\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.kryptocasinos.com\\\/en\\\/news\\\/flutter-closes-betfair-italy-regulatory-changes\\\/#primaryimage\"},\"thumbnailUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.kryptocasinos.com\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2026\\\/10\\\/flutter-closes-betfair-italy-regulatory-changes.jpg\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"CommentAction\",\"name\":\"Comment\",\"target\":[\"https:\\\/\\\/www.kryptocasinos.com\\\/en\\\/news\\\/flutter-closes-betfair-italy-regulatory-changes\\\/#respond\"]}],\"description\":\"\",\"isAccessibleForFree\":true,\"articleBody\":\"Flutter Withdraws Betfair from Italy - Regulatory Changes Make Operations Commercially Unviable\\n\\nKey Takeaways\\n\\nFlutter Entertainment will close its Betfair Exchange, Sportsbook, and Casino products in Italy due to regulatory updates.The operator retains its prominent Italian market position through the Sisal, Snai, and PokerStars brands.Italy introduced separate brand licenses costing \u20ac7 million each under a 2024 legislative framework.Flutter recorded a $296 million global net loss in the second quarter of 2026 amid rising operational costs.\\n\\nNew Concessions Force Market Exit for Betfair\\n\\nFlutter Entertainment is shutting down its Betfair Exchange, Sportsbook, and Casino operations in Italy. A company spokesperson stated that recent regulatory shifts rendered the exchange product commercially unsustainable. The operator will therefore discontinue all Betfair products in the Italian market shortly.\\nItaly reformed its online gambling framework through Legislative Decree No. 41 in March 2024. The revised structure mandates separate licenses for individual brands. Each concession costs \u20ac7 million ($7.79 million) and remains valid for up to nine years.\\nThe updated framework introduces stricter player protection, compliance, and platform standards. Betting exchanges now fall under standard fixed-odds betting regulations. Flutter secured five licenses in September 2025 before the new concessions took effect on November 13 that year.\\n\\nExchange Model Requires High Customer Activity\\n\\nThe Betfair Exchange operates on a distinct peer-to-peer structure rather than a traditional sportsbook model. Customers place bets directly against one another on the platform. Users can choose to back a specific outcome or oppose it entirely.\\nThe platform generates revenue by collecting a commission on winning bets. This business model requires substantial customer activity to effectively match all placed wagers. Flutter has not specified whether low liquidity contributed directly to the withdrawal.\\nThe company did not state if licensing costs, exchange rules, or broader compliance requirements ultimately determined the final decision. The operator described the affected Betfair products as a very small part of its overall Italian revenue.\\n\\nSisal and Snai Sustain Italian Market Presence\\n\\nItaly remains the third-largest region for Flutter as part of its Southern Europe and Africa division. This segment generated $896 million in revenue during the first half of 2026, representing a 36% year-on-year increase. The withdrawal of Betfair will have a limited financial impact due to the strong performance of other local brands.\\nThe operator continues to serve Italian customers through Sisal, Snai, and PokerStars. Flutter finalized its acquisition of Snaitech in April 2025. The company subsequently transferred Snai users to the Sisal technology platform in April 2026 as part of a cost-reduction program.\\nThis consolidation strategy quickly yielded positive results. Sisal achieved its highest market share in June. Flutter might expand this presence further by pursuing a proposed scratchcard concession if the Meloni government proceeds with a tender.\\n\\nGroup Financials Show Revenue Growth Amid Wider Losses\\n\\nThe Betfair closure aligns with a broader corporate effort to integrate acquisitions and manage expenses. Flutter reported a $296 million net loss in the second quarter of 2026. The company had recorded a $37 million profit during the same period a year earlier.\\nGroup revenue increased by 3% to reach $4.33 billion. Adjusted EBITDA dropped 45% to $508 million. Weaker US profitability, higher marketing costs, and increased UK gambling taxes drove the earnings decline.\\nHistorical tax provisions in India and the US negatively affected the balance sheet. Acquisition financing and depreciation costs added to the financial pressure. The company announced additional cost-reduction measures in August.\\n\\nExecutive Transition Follows Restructuring Efforts\\n\\nThe structural changes coincide with a shift in senior leadership. Dan Taylor assumed the role of Group CEO on October 1. He succeeds Peter Jackson in steering the global operations.\\nThe new leadership faces an evolving Italian market where the Finance Ministry projects \u20ac1 billion ($1.11 billion) in gambling tax revenue across 2027 and 2028. The company must now navigate these stricter frameworks while competing with potential tender rivals like LottoItalia, a consortium comprising Allwyn, Arianna 2001, Novomatic Italia, and IGT.\\n\\nOur Assessment\\n\\nFlutter's decision to close Betfair in Italy highlights the financial pressure created by the \u20ac7 million per-brand licensing fee introduced in 2024. The requirement for separate concessions makes niche products like betting exchanges difficult to sustain under strict compliance frameworks. Retaining market leaders like Sisal and Snai allows the company to absorb the Betfair closure without sacrificing its strong position in Southern Europe. The ongoing cost reductions and leadership transition indicate a clear focus on operational efficiency amidst wider global losses.\\n\\n\"},{\"@type\":\"WebPage\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.kryptocasinos.com\\\/en\\\/news\\\/flutter-closes-betfair-italy-regulatory-changes\\\/\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.kryptocasinos.com\\\/en\\\/news\\\/flutter-closes-betfair-italy-regulatory-changes\\\/\",\"name\":\"Flutter Closes Betfair Italy - Sisal and Snai Remain\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.kryptocasinos.com\\\/en\\\/#website\"},\"primaryImageOfPage\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.kryptocasinos.com\\\/en\\\/news\\\/flutter-closes-betfair-italy-regulatory-changes\\\/#primaryimage\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.kryptocasinos.com\\\/en\\\/news\\\/flutter-closes-betfair-italy-regulatory-changes\\\/#primaryimage\"},\"thumbnailUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.kryptocasinos.com\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2026\\\/10\\\/flutter-closes-betfair-italy-regulatory-changes.jpg\",\"datePublished\":\"2026-10-30T09:08:14+01:00\",\"description\":\"Flutter Entertainment is withdrawing Betfair from Italy due to new regulatory costs. 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Compare top Bitcoin gambling sites by payouts, bonuses, KYC, and supported coins, with hands-on testing.\",\"address\":{\"@type\":\"PostalAddress\",\"streetAddress\":\"557 Fuk Wing St\",\"addressLocality\":\"Cheung Sha Wan\",\"addressRegion\":\"HK\",\"postalCode\":\"999077\",\"addressCountry\":\"CN\"},\"contactPoint\":{\"@type\":\"ContactPoint\",\"email\":\"contact@kryptocasinos.com\"},\"foundingDate\":\"2021-03-27\",\"email\":\"hello@kryptocasinos.com\",\"numberOfEmployees\":{\"@type\":\"QuantitativeValue\",\"minValue\":\"11\",\"maxValue\":\"50\"},\"publishingPrinciples\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.kryptocasinos.com\\\/en\\\/editorial-guidelines\\\/\"},{\"@type\":\"Person\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.kryptocasinos.com\\\/en\\\/#\\\/schema\\\/person\\\/badee6a5ed8b6777da5bd380d112bcdc\",\"name\":\"Isabella Brown\",\"description\":\"Isabella Brown is a Senior Editor and Crypto Gambling Analyst at KryptoCasinos.com. She has worked in iGaming since 2017, including three years analyzing industry news and trends at iGaming Business (iGB). She covers crypto gambling regulation, casino security, and market developments for US readers, and checks site content for accuracy before publication.\",\"birthDate\":\"1995-02-13\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.kryptocasinos.com\\\/en\\\/author\\\/isabella\\\/\"}]}<\/script>\n<!-- \/ Yoast SEO Premium plugin. -->","yoast_head_json":{"title":"Flutter Closes Betfair Italy - Sisal and Snai Remain","description":"Flutter Entertainment is withdrawing Betfair from Italy due to new regulatory costs. Sisal, Snai, and PokerStars will continue operating in the market.","robots":{"index":"index","follow":"follow","max-snippet":"max-snippet:-1","max-image-preview":"max-image-preview:large","max-video-preview":"max-video-preview:-1"},"canonical":"https:\/\/www.kryptocasinos.com\/en\/news\/flutter-closes-betfair-italy-regulatory-changes\/","og_type":"article","og_title":"Kryptocasinos.com EN","og_description":"Flutter Entertainment is withdrawing Betfair from Italy due to new regulatory costs. Sisal, Snai, and PokerStars will continue operating in the market.","og_url":"https:\/\/www.kryptocasinos.com\/en\/news\/flutter-closes-betfair-italy-regulatory-changes\/","og_site_name":"Kryptocasinos.com","article_publisher":"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/kryptocasinoscomm\/","article_published_time":"2026-10-30T08:08:14+00:00","og_image":[{"width":1408,"height":736,"url":"https:\/\/www.kryptocasinos.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/flutter-closes-betfair-italy-regulatory-changes.jpg","type":"image\/jpeg"}],"author":"Isabella Brown","twitter_card":"summary_large_image","twitter_misc":{"Written by":"Isabella Brown","Est. reading time":"4 minutes"},"schema":{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org","@graph":[{"@type":"NewsArticle","@id":"https:\/\/www.kryptocasinos.com\/en\/news\/flutter-closes-betfair-italy-regulatory-changes\/#article","isPartOf":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.kryptocasinos.com\/en\/news\/flutter-closes-betfair-italy-regulatory-changes\/"},"author":{"name":"Isabella Brown","@id":"https:\/\/www.kryptocasinos.com\/en\/#\/schema\/person\/badee6a5ed8b6777da5bd380d112bcdc"},"headline":"Flutter to Close Betfair in Italy Amid New Licensing Rules","datePublished":"2026-10-30T09:08:14+01:00","mainEntityOfPage":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.kryptocasinos.com\/en\/news\/flutter-closes-betfair-italy-regulatory-changes\/"},"wordCount":716,"commentCount":0,"publisher":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.kryptocasinos.com\/en\/#organization"},"image":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.kryptocasinos.com\/en\/news\/flutter-closes-betfair-italy-regulatory-changes\/#primaryimage"},"thumbnailUrl":"https:\/\/www.kryptocasinos.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/flutter-closes-betfair-italy-regulatory-changes.jpg","inLanguage":"en-US","potentialAction":[{"@type":"CommentAction","name":"Comment","target":["https:\/\/www.kryptocasinos.com\/en\/news\/flutter-closes-betfair-italy-regulatory-changes\/#respond"]}],"description":"","isAccessibleForFree":true,"articleBody":"Flutter Withdraws Betfair from Italy - Regulatory Changes Make Operations Commercially Unviable\n\nKey Takeaways\n\nFlutter Entertainment will close its Betfair Exchange, Sportsbook, and Casino products in Italy due to regulatory updates.The operator retains its prominent Italian market position through the Sisal, Snai, and PokerStars brands.Italy introduced separate brand licenses costing \u20ac7 million each under a 2024 legislative framework.Flutter recorded a $296 million global net loss in the second quarter of 2026 amid rising operational costs.\n\nNew Concessions Force Market Exit for Betfair\n\nFlutter Entertainment is shutting down its Betfair Exchange, Sportsbook, and Casino operations in Italy. A company spokesperson stated that recent regulatory shifts rendered the exchange product commercially unsustainable. The operator will therefore discontinue all Betfair products in the Italian market shortly.\nItaly reformed its online gambling framework through Legislative Decree No. 41 in March 2024. The revised structure mandates separate licenses for individual brands. Each concession costs \u20ac7 million ($7.79 million) and remains valid for up to nine years.\nThe updated framework introduces stricter player protection, compliance, and platform standards. Betting exchanges now fall under standard fixed-odds betting regulations. Flutter secured five licenses in September 2025 before the new concessions took effect on November 13 that year.\n\nExchange Model Requires High Customer Activity\n\nThe Betfair Exchange operates on a distinct peer-to-peer structure rather than a traditional sportsbook model. Customers place bets directly against one another on the platform. Users can choose to back a specific outcome or oppose it entirely.\nThe platform generates revenue by collecting a commission on winning bets. This business model requires substantial customer activity to effectively match all placed wagers. Flutter has not specified whether low liquidity contributed directly to the withdrawal.\nThe company did not state if licensing costs, exchange rules, or broader compliance requirements ultimately determined the final decision. The operator described the affected Betfair products as a very small part of its overall Italian revenue.\n\nSisal and Snai Sustain Italian Market Presence\n\nItaly remains the third-largest region for Flutter as part of its Southern Europe and Africa division. This segment generated $896 million in revenue during the first half of 2026, representing a 36% year-on-year increase. The withdrawal of Betfair will have a limited financial impact due to the strong performance of other local brands.\nThe operator continues to serve Italian customers through Sisal, Snai, and PokerStars. Flutter finalized its acquisition of Snaitech in April 2025. The company subsequently transferred Snai users to the Sisal technology platform in April 2026 as part of a cost-reduction program.\nThis consolidation strategy quickly yielded positive results. Sisal achieved its highest market share in June. Flutter might expand this presence further by pursuing a proposed scratchcard concession if the Meloni government proceeds with a tender.\n\nGroup Financials Show Revenue Growth Amid Wider Losses\n\nThe Betfair closure aligns with a broader corporate effort to integrate acquisitions and manage expenses. Flutter reported a $296 million net loss in the second quarter of 2026. The company had recorded a $37 million profit during the same period a year earlier.\nGroup revenue increased by 3% to reach $4.33 billion. Adjusted EBITDA dropped 45% to $508 million. Weaker US profitability, higher marketing costs, and increased UK gambling taxes drove the earnings decline.\nHistorical tax provisions in India and the US negatively affected the balance sheet. Acquisition financing and depreciation costs added to the financial pressure. The company announced additional cost-reduction measures in August.\n\nExecutive Transition Follows Restructuring Efforts\n\nThe structural changes coincide with a shift in senior leadership. Dan Taylor assumed the role of Group CEO on October 1. He succeeds Peter Jackson in steering the global operations.\nThe new leadership faces an evolving Italian market where the Finance Ministry projects \u20ac1 billion ($1.11 billion) in gambling tax revenue across 2027 and 2028. The company must now navigate these stricter frameworks while competing with potential tender rivals like LottoItalia, a consortium comprising Allwyn, Arianna 2001, Novomatic Italia, and IGT.\n\nOur Assessment\n\nFlutter's decision to close Betfair in Italy highlights the financial pressure created by the \u20ac7 million per-brand licensing fee introduced in 2024. The requirement for separate concessions makes niche products like betting exchanges difficult to sustain under strict compliance frameworks. Retaining market leaders like Sisal and Snai allows the company to absorb the Betfair closure without sacrificing its strong position in Southern Europe. The ongoing cost reductions and leadership transition indicate a clear focus on operational efficiency amidst wider global losses.\n\n"},{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"https:\/\/www.kryptocasinos.com\/en\/news\/flutter-closes-betfair-italy-regulatory-changes\/","url":"https:\/\/www.kryptocasinos.com\/en\/news\/flutter-closes-betfair-italy-regulatory-changes\/","name":"Flutter Closes Betfair Italy - Sisal and Snai Remain","isPartOf":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.kryptocasinos.com\/en\/#website"},"primaryImageOfPage":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.kryptocasinos.com\/en\/news\/flutter-closes-betfair-italy-regulatory-changes\/#primaryimage"},"image":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.kryptocasinos.com\/en\/news\/flutter-closes-betfair-italy-regulatory-changes\/#primaryimage"},"thumbnailUrl":"https:\/\/www.kryptocasinos.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/flutter-closes-betfair-italy-regulatory-changes.jpg","datePublished":"2026-10-30T09:08:14+01:00","description":"Flutter Entertainment is withdrawing Betfair from Italy due to new regulatory costs. 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Compare top Bitcoin gambling sites by payouts, bonuses, KYC, and supported coins, with hands-on testing.","address":{"@type":"PostalAddress","streetAddress":"557 Fuk Wing St","addressLocality":"Cheung Sha Wan","addressRegion":"HK","postalCode":"999077","addressCountry":"CN"},"contactPoint":{"@type":"ContactPoint","email":"contact@kryptocasinos.com"},"foundingDate":"2021-03-27","email":"hello@kryptocasinos.com","numberOfEmployees":{"@type":"QuantitativeValue","minValue":"11","maxValue":"50"},"publishingPrinciples":"https:\/\/www.kryptocasinos.com\/en\/editorial-guidelines\/"},{"@type":"Person","@id":"https:\/\/www.kryptocasinos.com\/en\/#\/schema\/person\/badee6a5ed8b6777da5bd380d112bcdc","name":"Isabella Brown","description":"Isabella Brown is a Senior Editor and Crypto Gambling Analyst at KryptoCasinos.com. She has worked in iGaming since 2017, including three years analyzing industry news and trends at iGaming Business (iGB). She covers crypto gambling regulation, casino security, and market developments for US readers, and checks site content for accuracy before publication.","birthDate":"1995-02-13","url":"https:\/\/www.kryptocasinos.com\/en\/author\/isabella\/"}]}},"yoast_meta":{"_yoast_wpseo_primary_category":"","_yoast_wpseo_title":"Flutter Closes Betfair Italy - Sisal and Snai Remain","_yoast_wpseo_metadesc":"Flutter Entertainment is withdrawing Betfair from Italy due to new regulatory costs. 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