Betway, Unibet & William Hill blacklisted by Lithuanian Gaming Authority

Lithuania’s Gaming Control Authority has asked for national internet service providers’ to block user access to unlicensed online gambling operators.

The Authority under instructions from the Lithuanian Parliament is reported to have drawn up a blacklist of international operators, deemed to be breaching national online gambling laws.

The websites of Betway, Unibet and William Hill are reported to be the first European operators to have been restricted access by Lithuanian internet providers.

Virginijus Dauksys Managing Director of the Gaming Control Authority, has been tasked with implementing tougher restrictions on international gambling operators deemed to be targeting Lithuanian consumers.

Dauksys told national news sources that he expects further online gambling operators to be restricted in the coming months.

On 1 January, Lithuanian Parliament passed new laws allowing for tougher monitoring and restriction against unlicensed

At present Losimu Strategine Grupe, which operates under the brand of TonyBet, and Orakulas are the only operators allowed to operate online gambling services. 

Lithuanian government officials have stated that they will allow foreign operators to apply for licensing in 2016, and have further stated that a number of companies have shown interest in operating in a licensed market.