Lithuania bans gambling adverts

As of 1st July, gambling operators will be forbidden from implementing promotional campaigns in Lithuania.

The new law, signed in by Parliament on 20th May, following a national survey conducted in November by the nation’s Gambling Supervisory Authority, which saw 52 per cent of participants express support for the ban.

The legislation will also affect chips or gift giveaways, as well as discounts, test games and events. It will apply to both offshore and brick-and-mortar outlets.

According to the Government, the step was necessary to combat problem gambling. As COVID lockdown measures were in place in the country, the Government asked gambling operators to cut down on advertisements.

Subsequently, gambling operators faced accusations that they were not following these guidelines, and some were accused of increasing their advertisements.

Lithuania’s gambling industry stakeholders have attacked the law. Mantas Zakarka, a representative of Lithuania’s National Gambling and Gaming Business Association said that the ban would prevent new operators entering the market and would boost shadow businesses.

The bill passed with 105 votes in favour and 14 abstentions.