In this article, we’ll explain Lithuania’s new regulations and how they impact iGaming operators who want to operate within the country.
What’s New in Lithuania’s Gambling Regulations
Parliament has approved stricter measures against illegal gambling websites, proposed by the Lithuanian Ministry of Finance. Here are the key updates:
- Payment Blocking: The regulator will block credit and debit card payments to iGaming websites operating without a local license.
- Transparency Requirement: All online gambling platforms must provide clear information about the recipient of transactions.
- Penalties for Violations: Payment service providers that break the rules could face fines between €1,800 and €3,800.
- Age Restriction: The legal gambling age has been increased from 18 to 21.
A new regime will take effect in July 2025, making a major shift for operators.
What Happens to Illegal Gambling Operators in Lithuania
Lithuanian gambling law allows only operators on the government’s official “white list”—those holding a local license and approved to operate in Lithuania—to process transactions.
Authorities frequently monitor online gambling platforms to ensure they comply with licensing requirements. If they find an operator using an international license, like Anjouan or Curacao, but lacking a local one, it goes straight onto the “blacklist”.
Banks and Electronic Money Institutions (EMIs) also use this list and refuse to work with blacklisted platforms.
Although international financial organizations may sometimes consider Lithuania's “blacklist”, local payment systems almost always use it as a key compliance resource.
Lithuania’s regulations have achieved impressive results. The statistics speak for themselves: from 2016 to 2024, Lithuania successfully blocked 1,809 illegal gambling websites.
Want to learn more? Contact us to get more information about Lithuanian’s regulatory framework to legally operate in the EU.
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