New Lithuanian gambling marketing restrictions enter force
New measures prepare the way for a complete ban from 2028.
Lithuania.- The Lithuanian Gaming Control Authority has confirmed the introduction (Tuesday July 1) of new restrictions on gambling advertising from today. Approved last year, the new measures ban all external gambling advertising, including the use of brand logos, apart from on gambling operators’ own headquarters and at gambling venues.
Gambling operators may still sponsor sporting events, organisations, broadcasts and athletes, and cultural or artistic events, but the names of gambling companies can not be used in the names of sports clubs or leagues,
Gambling operators can also continue to advertise their name and trademarks on their websites, but only publications specifically dedicated to gambling may publish information about products.
As for TV, radio and online marketing, adverts must be no longer than 15 seconds long and must not be shown more than three times an hour between 6am and 6pm or more than twice an hour between 8pm and midnight. Online betting ads must not link to betting websites.
The new rules are intended as the first phase in a transition to a complete ban on gambling ads in 2028. Sandra Vitkevičiūtę, an advisor at the gambling regulator, said the aim was to “reduce access to gambling and the harm it causes to society.”
New minimum age for gambling
Today also marked the start of the new minimum gambling age in Lithuania. The age limit has been raised from 18 to 21 for all products with the exception of national lottery draws. That brings online gambling in line with land-based casinos.
Meanwhile, other new measures require all gambling venues will need to have a dedicated member of staff at all times to intervene in instances of irresponsible gambling behaviours. The staff member must intervene when risky gambling is identified, suspending the customer for 48 hours if it’s deemed necessary.
Elsewhere in Europe, today marks the start of the Netherlands’ ban on gambling sponsorship in sports.
See also: Betsson rebrands Betsafe operations in Lithuania
