Gambling supervision challenges presented to the Seimas Budget and Finance Committee

Overview of the Gambling Sector

Over the past 15 years, the gross gambling income of companies organizing gambling (i.e. the amounts lost by the population) has been growing consistently. In 2010, this income amounted to 44.6 million euros, in 2024 - 241.9 million euros. The market share of remote gambling this year reached 73 percent.

The number of those who no longer want to gamble is also growing every year. In 2024, 16,354 applications were submitted to stop gambling, and since 2017 - a total of 78,690. Currently, there are about 20 thousand valid applications. However, the total number of people affected by problem gambling is several times higher, and the environment of the person who gambles also suffers.

Blocking illegal gambling sites

The Gambling Supervision Authority applies a complex model to combat illegal gambling. It includes blocking access to illegal sites, blocking financial transactions with the operator of illegal gambling activities, the “White List” principle (card payment transactions are carried out only with organizers who have the right to conduct remote gambling activities in Lithuania) and restrictions on gambling advertising.

According to data received by the LPT in 19 EU countries, no other supervisory authority has such a complex and extensive blocking system as Lithuania. Therefore, other European Union countries are also actively interested in Lithuania's experience in combating illegal gambling sites.

These measures work automatically and effectively - more than 1,900 illegal sites have already been blocked. Some of them are withdrawing from the market even before the court decision.

Advertising restrictions

From 2025 In July 2020, new restrictions on advertising and sports sponsorship came into force. The Supervisory Service consistently provided methodological assistance and consultations to gambling organizers (more than 180 individual consultations were provided), sent reminders to Lithuanian media outlets, sports organizations and the entire gambling business.

Non-compliances were recorded, recommendations were made for their elimination (55 recommendations were made to eliminate non-compliances), and inspections were launched regarding the use of trademarks in the names of sports clubs.

This helped the market adapt to the changes: sports clubs and leagues changed their names.

Upcoming changes

From 1 November 2025, amendments to the Law on Gambling will enter into force, which aim to reduce the accessibility and attractiveness of gambling and the harm caused by gambling to gamblers and their relatives.

From 1 May 2026, Remote gambling organizers will be required to connect to the Slot Machine Control Information System – LAKIS – and regularly submit data to the Supervisory Authority.