SBC News Voice of the Sports Betting Industry
Top Sport has been handed a €15,000 fine by the Lithuanian Gambling Control Authority (GCA), part of the country’s Ministry of Finance, for payments infractions.
The regulator found that one of the sportsbook operator’s customers had deposited €14,985 into their account using a payment card held by another individual.
In its assessment, the GCA stated that Top Sport had failed to prevent deposits being made by an account holder via a card that did not belong to them, a violation of the payments provisions of Lithuanian gambling law.
The GCA explained: “The mentioned provision establishes that sums wagered on remote gaming may be deposited and accepted in cash by the gaming operator from the player’s payment account to the gaming operator’s payment account.”
However, the regulator did note that its decisions are ‘not final’, as Top Sport can appeal the verdict and potentially see the fine rejected.
On the other hand, this is not the first time the sportsbook has found itself on the receiving end of regulatory wrath in Lithuania, having been hit with financial penalties three times this year when this week’s action is included.
In February the firm was charged €25,000 after customers were sent emails containing links to its mobile apps and websites, in breach of Lithuanian laws around gambling promotion, marketing and advertising.
The month prior, Top Sport started 2023 in a sticky situation after being handed another €15,000 fine for poor CCTV installation practices at its land-based gambling venues.
Furthermore, back in November 2022, the GCA issued yet another $15,000 fine after a bettor located outside Lithuania was able to place bets via its Lithuanian website.
