Lithuania considers introducing mandatory card to monitor gambling activities

(AsiaGameHub) –   Lithuania’s Ministry of Finance has proposed the introduction of a compulsory ‘gambler’s card’ to give authorities direct oversight of citizens’ gambling activities.

Finance Minister Kristupas Vaitiekūnas supports the initiative, aiming to incorporate it into the country’s broader strategy to establish a new gambling framework by 2028.

According to Vaitiekūnas, the card would be the central component of a new unified monitoring system, designed to track how consumers interact with the eight operators licensed by the Gambling Control Authority (LPT).

He sees the card as a conclusive step to seal any regulatory gaps and guarantee adherence to laws enacted since 2025.

“The gambler’s card would be a shared profile within the information system. All gambling companies would access this data, see when a person hits their limit, and prevent further play,” Vaitiekūnas stated, describing the reform’s primary goal.

The Seimas started rolling out the first phase of Lithuania’s gambling rules in 2024.

This process commenced with raising the legal gambling age from 18 to 21 on 1 January 2025, accompanied by extensive advertising bans across digital, broadcast, and sponsorship mediums.

The Ministry notes that current responsible gambling tools are voluntary, allowing players to set limits per operator, but lack a universal application. The gambler’s card aims to address this discrepancy by mandating limits across the board.

A specialized ‘Gambling Supervision Service’ will manage the central registry, offering live data on player actions such as deposits, losses, and wins. This ensures that once a limit is met, gambling is halted on all licensed sites.

This action is one element of a larger set of structural reforms, especially concerning anti-money laundering efforts.

Starting in 2026, all banks licensed by the Bank of Lithuania must observe gambling-related transactions and alert the LPT to any suspicious activity.

These financial entities must also halt payments to blacklisted operators within a day of being notified by regulators. Failure to comply can result in fines reaching €6,000, with increased penalties for subsequent violations.

Collectively, these steps represent a synchronized regulatory overhaul intended to boost consumer safeguards and reduce the market presence of unlicensed operators.

A staged implementation is planned. The first regulatory adjustments are set for May 2027, with the complete gambler’s card system expected to be operational by 2029. This grace period is to allow operators to adjust to new compliance and technical standards.

Nevertheless, the proposal has been met with some wariness. Although there is widespread backing for stronger responsible gambling protocols, worries remain regarding the expense and intricacy of setting up a centralized system, alongside debates about potential infringements on civil liberties.