Lithuanian License

Gambling Regulation in Lithuania

In Lithuania, the gambling industry is regulated by the Gaming Control Authority, which operates under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Finance. The regulator supervises online casinos, bookmakers, bingo halls, slot machines, and national lotteries. All companies are licensed by this regulator, and their brands are entered into a public register that is accessible to players. Platform oversight includes all key technical and legal processes. Companies are required to undergo regular inspections, and platform audits are also conducted in a centralised manner.

The Gaming Control Authority works closely with other state bodies. Its additional functions include drafting legislation, protecting user interests, updating technological standards, and auditing the entire industry. The regulator employs specialists in licensing, AML, technical security, and responsible gambling.

License Types and Key Requirements

An operator may obtain licenses to operate online casinos, sports betting, bingo, lotteries, and slot machines. Since 2022, the Lithuanian regulator has allowed online operators to obtain a license without establishing a land-based venue, significantly lowering the entry threshold for new international brands. During the application process, the regulator reviews the company’s ownership and business structure, the origins of its capital, the legality of investments, and the accuracy and honesty of all information provided.

Regulatory requirements include compliance with AML* and KYC* standards, mandatory automated monitoring systems, the implementation of responsible gambling tools, and a full IT audit of the platform.

Data is verified through digital means and is stored in state registers. Certification applies to software, financial solutions, payout monitoring systems, and the monitoring of player behaviour.

• AML — Anti-Money Laundering, the prevention of money laundering.
• KYC — Know Your Customer, mandatory player identity verification.

How the Licensing Process Works

The process begins with the submission of digital documentation covering the company’s ownership, corporate structure, sources of capital, and the platform’s technical and IT infrastructure. After filing the main application, the company pays a state fee — for an online casino, this is approximately €500,000. All software products, RNG systems, and other technical solutions undergo a thorough IT security audit.

• RNG — Random Number Generator.

The testing typically takes no more than 30 days. Once the audit is completed, the brand is entered into the public register of licensed operators. After licensing, automated compliance checks and transaction monitoring become mandatory. If an operator breaches regulatory standards, it may be blocked or have its license suspended until the violations are resolved.

• Compliance — adherence to legislation, industry standards, and internal regulations.

Operators are required to maintain registers of employees and automated systems responsible for payout reporting. Continuous monitoring of platforms helps to identify and prevent any attempts to circumvent legal requirements.

Companies must fully disclose all financial flows to the regulator. Any changes to ownership or corporate structure must be approved and recorded in the public register.

Market Economy and Trends

In the first half of 2025, the Lithuanian gambling market grew by 13.4%. The online segment showed the fastest growth, expanding by 18.2% over six months. Online slots accounted for 45% of the total market and generated an increase in turnover of more than €64.4 million. The traditional land-based sector is growing slower, adding only around 2% over the same period. Operators contribute substantial tax revenues to the state — €41 million in the first six months of 2025.

All platforms are required to publish public reports on payouts and RNG performance, as well as to carry out automated compliance checks on new users. Financial transparency has become a defining feature of the Lithuanian system — any user can review payout distribution and platform operations. Platforms are also implementing the monitoring of player behaviour to detect early signs of gambling addiction, while mobile solutions have become the standard for most players.

Advertising, Social Responsibility and Player Protection

From July 2025, all gambling advertising outside official platforms and websites is fully prohibited. Television advertising is subject to strict limits on the number of commercials per hour, and a complete ban on gambling advertising is planned from 2028. The minimum participation age has been raised to 21, while national lotteries remain subject to the previous age limit of 18.

Operators are required to implement self-exclusion mechanisms, player support hotlines, and behavioural filtering tools. The self-exclusion system allows users to restrict access across all licensed platforms without contacting the regulator. Amendments to the Gambling Law aimed at reducing the harm caused by gambling to public health and society will come into force on 1 November 2025.

Banks are required to block payments to blacklisted websites, and all suspicious transactions are immediately reported to the regulator for analysis. An automated audit system integrated with banks enables swift detection of violations, while a fast-track complaints mechanism allows users to resolve issues as quickly as possible.

Liability, Measures Against Illegal Operators, and Protection Protocols

Operators are subject to regular compliance inspections and are required to provide full documentation at the regulator’s request. Lithuania maintains a public blacklist of unlicensed operators, which is accessible to internet service providers and banks to facilitate the blocking of access and payment transactions.

Preventive player protection campaigns, automated support hotlines, and mobile online services are being widely implemented. In 2025 alone, the regulator blocked more than 80 websites, tightened control over all financial transactions, and actively introduced electronic platforms for user complaints. For example, in mid-October 2025, the supervisory authority imposed a €6,000 fine on the operator UAB “Nesė” for violations of Lithuania’s Gambling Legislation.

Operators are required to inform players about all associated risks, provide regular staff training, and continuously update their responsible gambling policies. Mobile services help protect customers and significantly speed up verification and compliance procedures.

Conclusion

The Lithuanian license is a great example of modern digitalisation, strict responsibility standards, and transparency in the gambling industry. The regulator fosters an open market, ensures swift verification of operators, and protects player interests. Licensed companies are required to provide a high level of security, transparent reporting, and quality customer support. This makes the Lithuanian regulatory system one of the most effective in Europe and positions the gambling market as attractive and reliable for players, investors, and platform owners.