The head of Lithuania’s Gaming Control Authority, Virdzhiniyus Dauksys, had harsh words this week for online gambling operators who continue to offer their products to Lithuanians without the requisite licensing, describing the practice rather melodramatically as equivalent to smuggling.
Dauksys was announcing the latest moves in his organisation’s action against unlicensed operators following the introduction of the regulatory requirements and initial bans earlier this year (see previous reports). The moves include the banning and internet blocking of further domains allegedly associated with major groups like PokerStars, MarathonBet, Pinnacle Sports, 188Bet and NordicBet.
The regulator complained that some already banned operators were resorting to underhand methods such as domain changing to get around IP-blocking measures, characterising such responses as disrespectful and unethical.
Only four online gambling licenses have thus far been issued in Lithuania.