The Italian government is understood to be planning to go ahead with an increase in the PREU tax on wins relating to gaming machines.
The news came during the ENADA Rome show in October and had an immediate impact on the event, with attendees voicing concerns about investing in new equipment before the new regulations are confirmed.
Much of the talk before then had been of preparing for the overdue Comma 6a+ regulations for AWP machines and, even though these have yet to be introduced, there was a suggestion among exhibitors that operators were indeed at the show to purchase new equipment.
Raffaele Curcio, chairman of industry body SAPAR, said: “We shall now try to start discussions with the government to find solutions regarding the timeframe and methods for enactment that can mitigate the negative effects that will hit the companies, due to the increase in the PREU tax on wins, to come into effect from January 1, 2015.”
This latest round of taxation will be a fresh blow to the country’s AWP industry, which boasts upwards of 300,000 machines. No sooner has it come to terms with one set of regulations before being struck with the prospect of another.
