Stanleybet loses $8.7M tax battle against Italy in landmark ruling
Stanleybet, a European sports betting company, has lost a key legal battle against Italy’s tax authorities. The European Court of Justice ruled that the firm must pay an $8.7 million tax bill, despite its claims of unfair treatment. The case now moves to an Italian court for a final decision.
The dispute began when Stanleybet argued it was being taxed twice on betting transactions. As a Malta-based company, it already paid taxes there and claimed Italy’s additional charges were unjust. The betting operator took its case to the European Court of Justice, hoping to overturn the demand.
The court found no discrimination in Italy’s tax rules. It stated that companies operating in Italy—even if headquartered abroad—must comply with local tax laws. This decision aligns with previous rulings, where Stanleybet’s appeals against Italian authorities have had mixed results.
While the European court has made its position clear, the final amount owed could still change. The case will return to Italy’s national courts, which will determine the exact sum Stanleybet must pay.
The ruling confirms that foreign-based betting firms face the same tax obligations as Italian ones. Stanleybet, licensed for retail and online operations across Europe in 2020, must now await the Italian court’s verdict. The outcome will decide whether the $8.7 million bill stands or is adjusted.
