Further changes to Italy’s internet gambling legislation have increased interest in the country as an online gaming venue, with a number of companies set to invest in the region.

After years of prohibition and anti-gambling measures that contributed to policy initiatives announced as recently as October, the government has now decided to open its doors to online gamblers as part of a new regulatory approach.

Over 17,000 licenses for venues across Italy are to be auctioned off by the government, with casinos, betting shops and online casinos among the attractions on offer.

Companies such as William Hill have been quick to make their interest in such facilities known, according to early reports from the region.

The potential move signifies a further effort by William Hill to expand its European operations, the company having recently begun a venture with Spanish company Codere.

A separate development saw the bookmaker announce that it was in talks with software developer CryptoLogic to extend the two firms’ highly successful software contract.

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