Saturday, February 15, 2025

Lithuania Strengthens Measures Against Illegal Gambling

In a continued effort to modernize gambling regulation and protect vulnerable groups from gambling harm, Lithuania has introduced updated legislation aimed at curbing illegal gambling activities.

Passed by the Lithuanian Parliament and proposed by the Ministry of Finance, these new measures seek to block unauthorized gambling operators from targeting Lithuanian consumers and undermining the regulated sector.

Challenges for Illegal Operators

The updated regulations aim to limit credit/debit card payments to unauthorized gambling sites, strengthen consumer protections, and increase transparency within the gambling sector. Financial institutions in Lithuania are now required to block card transactions made to gambling operators not included in the government’s official “white list.” This list comprises only those operators licensed to operate in Lithuania, ensuring that legitimate businesses can continue their transactions unimpeded.

While the measures do not extend to cryptocurrencies or third-party payment services, they are expected to create significant obstacles for illegal entities. Previously, payment card transactions to online gambling platforms lacked detailed recipient information, complicating investigations. The new amendments will require all gambling transactions to meet the standards set by Lithuania’s Gaming Supervisory Authority (LPT), enhancing the regulator’s ability to prevent circumvention and better track market trends.

Continued Reforms

The amendments also introduce fines for payment service providers that facilitate transactions involving illegal gambling entities. Managers and responsible persons at such institutions could face financial penalties ranging from €1,800 to €3,800 ($1,850 to $3,900). Leading financial service providers have played a key role in shaping this legislation, ensuring its effective implementation.

Lithuania has made significant progress in safeguarding consumers and regulating the gambling market. The legal gambling age has been increased to 21, licensing fees have been raised, and measures have been introduced to address rising gambling addiction. A new advertising regime, set to begin in July 2025, will significantly limit ad placements both online and offline.

Alignment with European Trends

Lithuania’s efforts to enhance local regulations align with broader European trends towards stronger consumer protections, harm reduction, and fighting illegal operators. From 2016 to 2024, the country has blocked 1,809 illegal gambling websites, establishing itself as a leader in responsible gambling regulation and balancing the interests of operators, consumers, and payment providers.

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