Lithuania continues to work on a gambling law to tighten controls on gambling prohibitions and “prevent irresponsible behavior.”
On November 8, the Lithuanian parliament simply “new provisions” to be added to the Gambling Law. Ministers allow Lithuania to introduce a new “unified gambling level” of 21 years, which will come into force on July 1, 2025.
The increase in the legal gambling user level in Lithuania from 18 to 21 years old was authorized in January, and the schedule of amendments to the Gambling Law was to be determined by the parliament. Previously, the government only introduced a 21+ age limit for casinos.
From 1 July 2025, the new gambling age limit of 21 will be applied as a “central control” for all gambling (land-based and online), with the exception of Lithuanian national lottery draws.
The new “central control” requires Lithuanian gambling establishments to employ qualified personnel to handle cases of irresponsible gambling behavior.
The employee will be trained by the Gambling Control Authority (LPT) and will have the right to limit the customer’s gambling ability or apply a 48-hour suspension if necessary.
The Lithuanian Gambling Control Authority will be provided with additional controls to strengthen and restrict access to illegal online gambling platforms.
The gambling establishments and online platforms will maintain a system that records all information about players and their transactions. They will also provide the Gambling Control Authority with unlimited access to view the data at any time.
Financial service providers will be expected to block transactions linked to unlicensed gambling sites, further restricting access to offshore channels.
The Treasury, which proposed the reform, believes that the measures provide a safer gambling environment, reduce gambling and ensure that mainland gambling operators adhere to high standards of social responsibility.
In 2025, the new central controls will also apply to a new gambling tax regime, which is set to increase the income tax rate to 22% for slots, casino games, bingo and online gambling.
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