Lithuania embraces online gambling

The publication Delfi.lt reports that last Friday Lithuanian president Dalia Grybauskaitė signed amendments to the national Gaming Law, which will ensure the supervision of online gambling.

The president noted that Lithuania and the Netherlands are the only member states of the European Union where remote gambling activities have not been regulated, and that the amendments are the first step towards regulation and supervision of online gambling.

President Grybauskaitė said regulation was necessary to prevent the growth of an illegal underground market in internet gambling, thus protecting citizens – especially the underaged – from unregulated and unsafe online operators.

The amendments stipulate that remote gambling may be organised only by companies that are certified, licensed and supervised by Lithuania’s Gaming Control Authority. The amendments also clarify that the promotion of illegal websites and operators will be illegal in Lithuania.

Delfi,il notes that the European Commission has reminded Lithuania on the necessity for regulation, and the importance that it be done in accordance with public order, security and health.

The amendments will have to be approved by the Commission as part of routine EU procedure to ensure compliance with Union principles and legal requirements.

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