Lithuania toughens stance against online gambling operators

Under orders of the Ministry of Finance, the Lithuania Gambling Control Authority has announced that it will take severe action against unlicensed gambling operators deemed to be illegally targeting Republic of Lithuania consumers.

Releasing a statement this morning, the Gambling Control Authority stated that it had increased its monitoring of unlicensed gambling companies operating wagering services within the region.

The Authority further warned all international operators, that regardless of their legal jurisdiction all firms need to be licensed by Lithuanian authorities.

Detailing its increased action on unlicensed operators, the Authority noted that it would limit customer transactions and payouts of winnings from/to illegal gambling sites.

Furthermore, national banks and financial institutions have been issued orders to decline payment and credit transactions to unlicensed gambling websites.

Virginijus Dauksys, Director of the Gaming Control Authority, commented on the organisation’s policy: “These changes to regulation have been widely publicized and will be strictly legally enforced. Gaming operators need to be licensed to operate in the Republic of Lithuania.”