Mandatory player cards proposed for gambling in Lithuania
The Ministry of Finance’s amendment would require players to obtain a personal card for both land-based and online gambling.
Lithuania.- The Ministry of Finance has proposed reforms to Lithuania’s gambling legislation that will introduce a player card system for both land-based and online gaming. Finance Minister Kristupas Vaitiekūnas says the changes would be introduced in phases with a regulatory simplification in 2027 to be followed by the implementation of mandatory gambling cards and cashless payments by January 1, 2029.
Under the ministry’s proposal, every gambler would be required to obtain a personal card before accessing any form of gambling. The cards would centralise records of all deposits, winnings and losses across all operators, allowing the Lithuanian gambling regulator to monitor activity more effectively.
Vaitiekūnas described the card as a core tool for implementing responsible gambling, stressing its role in reducing harm and limiting access for vulnerable players.
The reform also mandates a shift away from cash transactions. From 2029, payments and payouts in gambling venues would be processed exclusively through non-cash methods tied to the player card. To ease the transition, operators will be given three years to upgrade or replace equipment to meet the requirements.
Alongside the technical rollout, the amendments would expand the authority of Lithuania’s gambling regulator and streamline compliance obligations for operators from May 1, 2027.
Prime Minister Inga Ruginienė has voiced support for the reforms, noting that the government is considering several measures to strengthen oversight and reduce gambling harm.
The initiative builds on earlier reforms in Lithuanian gambling. In June 2024, the budget and finance committee backed measures to introduce a centralised player database and monthly or annual loss limits. The country has also placed tough restrictions on gambling adverts, with a ban on most outdoor gambling advertising from July 1, 2025, and a complete ban from January 1, 2028.
