The idea of turning a passion for video games into a source of income fascinates many young people. In a digital world where opportunities seem endless, teenagers and children wonder if it’s really possible to earn money by gaming. This aspiration, which combines the tradition of gaming with the innovation of new technologies, raises important questions. Is it legal for a minor in Italy to earn an income from online gaming activities? The answer is complex and navigates between regulations on legal capacity, parental responsibility, and rules imposed by the gaming platforms themselves.

This article explores the Italian and European landscape, analyzing the legal, tax, and practical conditions that regulate online earnings for minors. The goal is to offer a clear guide for kids and parents to safely navigate a constantly evolving industry. From contractual implications to managing earnings, all aspects will be examined to understand how a hobby can, under certain conditions, become a small, regulated economic activity, always in compliance with the law and the protection of young people.

The Regulatory Context: What Italian Law Says

In Italy, the law states that full legal capacity is acquired at the age of 18. Before this age, an individual is considered legally incapable of entering into valid contracts on their own. A contract signed by a minor is, as a rule, voidable. This means that parents can request its cancellation and get a refund of any amounts paid. There is an exception for “acts of daily life,” such as small purchases appropriate for the minor’s age and financial means, like buying a magazine or a top-up card. However, earning money online on a continuous basis hardly falls into this category.

Labor laws set the minimum age for employment at 16, provided the individual has completed compulsory education. There are exceptions for specific sectors such as cultural, artistic, sports, and advertising, where it’s possible to start earlier, but only with written parental consent and approval from the Territorial Labor Directorate. These rules also apply to online activities, which, if carried out professionally and continuously, can be equated to a real job. Therefore, a gaming activity aimed at systematic earnings requires a well-defined legal structure.

The Crucial Role of Parents and Consent

When it comes to minors and online earnings, the role of parents is central and irreplaceable. Any economic activity undertaken by a minor requires their consent and, often, their direct involvement. Platforms that allow monetization of content or skills, such as YouTube through Google AdSense or app payment systems, require the account holder for receiving payments to be of legal age. Consequently, a parent must create and manage the account, effectively becoming the child’s legal representative for financial transactions.

This supervision is not just a technical formality but a specific legal responsibility. Parents are responsible for the actions of their minor children, including those online. They must therefore authorize the activity, oversee its proper execution, and manage the proceeds. For example, to sell items on platforms like Vinted, a minor under 18 needs parental permission, and the linked payment account (like PayPal) must be in an adult’s name. Ignoring these rules can render contracts invalid and create legal complications.

Gaming Platforms and Apps: The Minimum Age Matters

Every digital platform, whether it’s an app store, a social network, or an online game, sets its own access rules through its “Terms of Service.” Most of them set a minimum age for creating an account, usually 13, but require the age of majority (18) to handle financial transactions. For example, to use PayPal, a tool often used to receive payments from apps for earning money by gaming, you must be 18. This means a minor can use the app, but the prize must be collected by a parent.

It’s important not to confuse the minimum age for using an app with the PEGI (Pan European Game Information) rating. The PEGI system (with labels like 3, 7, 12, 16, 18) indicates the recommended age based on the video game’s content, such as violence or foul language, to protect minors from inappropriate material. It has no legal or contractual bearing on the ability to earn money. Therefore, even a game rated PEGI 3 might have a minimum age of 13 for registration and 18 for monetization in its terms of service.

Earnings and Taxes: How to Handle the Tax Authorities

An often-overlooked aspect is that any earnings, even if generated by a minor through a gaming activity, are potentially subject to taxation. Italian law does not provide for age-based exemptions. If earnings become regular and exceed the tax-free thresholds, they must be declared. In this scenario, it is the parents, as the child’s tax representatives, who must include this income in their own tax return. The proceeds generally fall into the category of “miscellaneous income.”

It is crucial to distinguish the source of the earnings. Winnings from legal betting and gambling platforms in Italy (with an ADM license) are subject to a withholding tax at the source, so the amount received is already net of taxes. In contrast, earnings from Play-to-Earn models, tournaments, and unauthorized foreign platforms must be manually entered in the tax return. Transparent management, using traceable payment methods like prepaid cards in the minor’s name but managed by parents, is essential to avoid problems with the tax authorities. For a complete understanding of the obligations, it is useful to consult a tax guide on earnings from apps.

Concrete Opportunities and Risks to Be Aware Of

There are several ways to earn money by gaming. The best-known is Pro-Gaming, where players compete in eSports tournaments with prize pools that can sometimes reach millions. This career, however, requires talent, dedication, and a support structure (team and family). Another path is to become a content creator on platforms like YouTube or Twitch, earning from advertising, sponsorships, and audience donations. In this case, too, success requires consistency and the support of an adult for managing bureaucratic aspects.

Then there are the “Play-to-Earn” apps that promise rewards for time spent gaming. Although legitimate apps exist, the earnings are often meager. It is crucial to be aware of the risks: many platforms hide mechanisms similar to gambling, a line that Italian law monitors closely. Furthermore, the online world exposes minors to dangers such as scams, contact with malicious individuals, and psychological pressure. A study by Save the Children highlighted that 5.7% of minors in Italy engage in online work activities, sometimes without adequate supervision, exposing themselves to significant risks.

Conclusions

In conclusion, earning money by gaming as a minor in Italy is a possible but not simple path. It is not an activity a young person can undertake in complete autonomy. The law requires the active involvement and responsibility of parents, who must act as legal and tax guarantors. From signing contracts with platforms to filing tax returns, every step must be taken in compliance with current regulations. The distinction between a hobby and a structured economic activity is fundamental to understanding the resulting obligations.

While digital innovation opens up new forms of income like NFT games, legal tradition places the protection of the minor first. For young talents and their families, the key is information: knowing the rules, understanding the risks, and acting with transparency. Only in this way can a passion for video games turn into a formative experience and, why not, a small and safe source of income, building a balanced bridge between fun and responsibility.

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