SBC News Voice of the Sports Betting Industry
The Seimas (parliament) of Lithuania has received a new age limit proposal on gambling, which seeks to raise the minimum age limit on all gambling disciplines (land-based and online) to 21.
As detailed in the 2024 agenda of the Seimas, Lithuanian MPs will vote on whether to set a new age limit on gambling to 21, with a view to implement new restrictions and ID requirements by July 2024.
The proposal is sponsored by MP Jurgita Sejonienė of the Homeland Union Party (Christian Democrats), who stated that age limits should have been raised previously as part of the government’s ongoing tightening of gambling laws.
The age-limit proposal has been fast-tracked to a vote by the Seimas, as Sejonienė and the Homeland Union Party secured unanimous initial approval for a new gambling age limit to be signed into law.
Proposed amendments to the Gambling Law of the Republic of Lithuania would restrict individuals under 21 from entering slot machine arcades and bingo halls, betting points, and participating in remote gambling.
At present, Lithuania’s legal gambling age is 18, however, entry and play at casinos (land-based and online) is restricted to those 21 and over.
The increase in age limit to 21 will not be applied to Lithuania’s national lottery, as since January retailers must conduct +18 age checks in order for consumers to purchase tickets.
Gambling amendments approved in 2022 and 2023 saw the Seimas grant new regulatory powers to the Lithuanian Gambling Control Authority, which implemented a new licensing framework for remote businesses and increased fines related to regulatory penalties.
