Lithuania Enacts Sweeping Gambling Reforms, Raises Minimum Age to 21

New Era for Gambling Regulation in Lithuania

As of November 1, 2025, Lithuania has rolled out significant amendments to its gambling laws, marking a pivotal shift towards a more controlled and player-protective environment. These reforms, approved by the Lithuanian parliament, the Seimas, are designed to mitigate gambling-related harm and safeguard vulnerable individuals. While some aspects, such as the increase in the legal gambling age and initial advertising restrictions, began on July 1, 2025, the full package of comprehensive regulations is now in effect.

Uniform Age Limit and Enhanced Player Protection

A cornerstone of the new legislation is the uniform increase of the minimum legal gambling age to 21 years across all forms of gambling, including land-based venues and online platforms. This change replaces previous regulations where the age limit varied, with some establishments permitting individuals as young as 18. National lotteries are exempt from this new age restriction. The move is intended to protect younger individuals, who are considered more susceptible to impulsive behaviors and the risks associated with problem gambling.

The new framework introduces several robust safety measures aimed at reducing harmful play:

• Mandatory Operator Intervention: Gambling companies are now required to actively monitor player behavior. If signs of high-risk gambling are detected, operators must intervene, which includes freezing access to gambling activities for at least 48 hours and blocking the player from both online and physical venues during this period.
• Self-Exclusion and Support: Platforms must provide players with access to support services and offer self-restriction tools.
• Online Gambling Limits: For online play, mandatory daily, weekly, and monthly spending caps, as well as time limits per session, have been introduced. Players can request to increase these limits, but changes will not be immediate, incorporating a delay to prevent impulsive decisions.
• Trained Staff: Gambling establishments must employ staff specifically trained by the Gaming Control Authority (LPT) to identify and intervene in cases of irresponsible gambling, with the authority to suspend a gambler's activities for 48 hours if necessary.
• Centralized Monitoring: Remote gambling operators will be required to link their systems to a new central monitoring platform, LAKIS, by May 2026, providing the regulator with real-time data on play.

Stricter Advertising Rules and Penalties

The reforms also include a significant tightening of advertising regulations, with stricter rules having come into effect on July 1, 2025. This is part of a phased approach leading to a near-total advertising blackout by January 1, 2028. Gambling brands are now largely restricted to promotion on licensed premises or official websites, with broad marketing campaigns, digital advertising, and event sponsorships facing heavy restrictions.

To ensure compliance, the penalties for violations have been substantially increased. Fines will now be calculated as a percentage of a company's annual gross revenue, ranging from 2% to 5% for initial offenses and potentially reaching up to 10% for repeat breaches. This replaces previous fixed fine amounts, aiming to make sanctions more impactful, particularly for larger operators. Furthermore, financial service providers are mandated to block transactions associated with unlicensed gambling websites, with banks required to block payments to blacklisted operators within 24 hours of receiving notice from the LPT, facing fines of up to €6,000 for non-compliance.

Addressing a Growing Market

These comprehensive changes come as Lithuania's gambling market has experienced significant growth, with revenues climbing and online gambling dominating the sector. The Gaming Supervision Authority (LPT) has highlighted mounting challenges in overseeing the rapidly expanding industry and the rising risks of addiction. The Ministry of Finance, which spearheaded these reforms, anticipates that these measures will foster a safer gambling environment, reduce addiction rates, and ensure licensed operators adhere to high standards of social responsibility.