Lithuania has reaffirmed the use of \u2018mandatory player cards\u2019 as the cornerstone reform of its overhaul of gambling laws to be fully implemented by 2029.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
An appraisal was provided to SBC News<\/em> by the Gambling Control Authority<\/strong> of Lithuania that the mechanism was viewed as a new central control passed due to amendments to the Gaming Law of the Republic of Lithuania as approved by the Ministry of Finance.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Though controversial to some, The Ministry of Finance backed the measure arguing that stricter controls are necessary to strengthen consumer protections and improve regulatory compliance of operators of a high risk sector.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Under the new framework, all customers who engage with gambling services of 18 licences land-based casinos, 50 arcade halls and 10 online licences must use a personalised gambling card linked directly to their player profile and national ID \u2014 a mandatory requirement that will be implemented via a phased approach to the Gaming Law from 2027 to 2028.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The reforms place Lithuania amongst Europe\u2019s most controlled markets, introducing what officials describe as the first centralised gambling mechanism implemented by an EU member state. <\/p>\n\n\n\n The framework combines identity verification, spending oversight and responsible gambling protections within a single system. Player cards have been used by the regulatory authorities of Poland and Norway, but primarily as a control on use of land-based slot machines checking customer IDs and playing time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n In comments provided to SBC<\/em>, the Gambling Control Authority <\/strong>of Lithuania stressed that the initiative forms part of a wider responsible gambling strategy rather than a programme of player surveillance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cThe draft Law on Gambling is intended to establish the use of a player card as a mandatory requirement for all individuals seeking to participate in gambling activities, both at land-based gambling establishments and through remote gambling services,\u201d the Authority stated.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cThis measure is aimed at ensuring effective regulatory supervision of the gambling sector, reducing potential social, financial and health-related harm associated with gambling, and contributing to the implementation of responsible gambling policy.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Lithuania prioritises control<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n At the centre of the framework sits account-based gambling controls. Each player card is linked directly to personal gambling accounts and consumer-opted spending limits, designed to provide players with greater visibility over gambling activity while enabling automated protections when thresholds are exceeded.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cThe introduction of a mandatory player card, linked to the player\u2019s personal gambling accounts and predetermined permissible limits, will ensure compliance with the established limits,\u201d the Authority told SBC<\/em>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cThrough the use of the player card, the player will be able to monitor their expenditure and winnings, while the system will automatically block transactions exceeding the limits set in advance.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n The player card also integrates into Lithuania’s wider responsible gambling infrastructure, including national self-exclusion systems and age-verification controls.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Authorities have simultaneously tightened broader gambling protections in recent years, increasing the minimum gambling age and strengthening restrictions surrounding venue access and operating conditions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n