Lithuania steps up gambling controls as industry hits new highs
Lithuania’s gambling regulator has warned lawmakers of mounting challenges in overseeing a fast-growing sector, as new restrictions on advertising and sponsorship take hold and tighter rules are set to arrive next year.
The Gaming Supervision Authority (LPT) told the Seimas Committee on Budget and Finance on Monday that while revenues in the industry continue to climb, so too do the risks of addiction and the influence of illegal operators.
Over the last 15 years, gross gambling revenue (GGR) in the country has risen more than fivefold from €12.9m in 2010 to €241.9m in 2024. Online gambling now dominates the market, accounting for 73 per cent of all play this year.
Yet the regulator noted that more people than ever are seeking to quit gambling. “In 2024, 16,354 applications for gambling were submitted, and since 2017, a total of 78,690. Currently, there are about 20 thousand valid applications,” the press release stated. Officials added that the number of people affected by problem gambling is “several times higher, and the environment of the loser also suffers.”
Europe’s toughest blocking system, says regulator
Lithuania has been steadily tightening its gambling laws in recent years, combining consumer protection with coordinated efforts against unlicensed operators. The LPT said it now uses a “complex model” that includes blocking websites, freezing payments, enforcing a “white list” of approved operators, and limiting advertising.
According to the regulator, “in 19 EU countries, no other supervisory institution has such a complex and extensive blocking system as Lithuania.” More than 1,900 illegal sites have already been banned, with some withdrawing voluntarily before a court decision.
These measures are in line with reforms introduced earlier this year. In January, the government expanded the LPT’s enforcement powers and required banks to block credit and debit card transactions directed towards unlicensed operators. As a previous article on the changes noted, “financial institutions found transmitting funds to unauthorised operators will stand the risk of incurring heavy fines,” with penalties of up to €3,800 for responsible managers.
Officials say the approach has created a safer environment for licensed businesses and improved transparency. The government says that by limiting the operations of illegal platforms, Lithuania is creating a safer environment for legal operators, encouraging further investment in the gambling sector.
New rules reshape the industry
From July this year, new rules came into effect that restricted gambling promotions and sponsorship deals, particularly in sport.
The LPT said it worked closely with the industry ahead of the change, providing “more than 180 individual consultations” and sending reminders to broadcasters, media outlets and sports organisations. Inspectors issued 55 recommendations to correct discrepancies and began examining whether sports clubs were using gambling trademarks in their names.
The authority reported that the clampdown was already reshaping the landscape: “sports clubs and leagues changed their names” to comply with the new rules.
Campaigners had long argued for stricter controls to protect vulnerable groups, as online gambling surged during and after the pandemic. In August, data from the LPT showed that the industry generated €131.5m in GGR in the first half of 2025, with online play contributing €96.1m.
Next phase of regulation
The authority also set out a roadmap of further restrictions that will come into force in 2025 and 2026. From November next year, amendments to the Law on Gambling will “aim to reduce the accessibility, attractiveness and harm caused by gambling to gamblers and their relatives.”
Meanwhile, remote gambling operators will have to link their systems to a new central monitoring platform known as LAKIS by May 2026. The Slot Machine Control Information System will provide the regulator with real-time data on play, strengthening its ability to monitor compliance.
The changes come as Lithuania’s gambling market reaches record highs. In the first half of this year, online slot machines alone generated €64.4m, accounting for nearly half the total market. Traditional casinos, by contrast, have struggled to recover, with physical betting shops generating less than €5m in revenue compared to €21.3m online.
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