Mandatory player cards for gambling proposed in Lithuania

(AsiaGameHub) –   The Ministry of Finance’s proposed amendment mandates that players secure a personal card for participation in both physical and digital gambling activities.

Lithuania.- The Ministry of Finance has put forward legislative changes for Lithuania’s gambling sector, introducing a player card system for both offline and online gaming. Finance Minister Kristupas Vaitiekūnas outlined a phased strategy, beginning with regulatory simplification in 2027, followed by the enforcement of mandatory gambling cards and cashless transactions effective January 1, 2029.

According to the ministry’s proposal, all gamblers must acquire a personal card prior to engaging in any gambling activity. These cards would aggregate records of all deposits, winnings, and losses across operators, enabling the Lithuanian gambling regulator to oversee activity more efficiently.

Vaitiekūnas characterized the card as a fundamental instrument for responsible gambling, emphasizing its capacity to mitigate harm and restrict access for at-risk individuals.

The reform also necessitates a move away from cash transactions. Starting in 2029, all payments and withdrawals within gambling establishments must be processed via non-cash methods linked to the player card. To facilitate this transition, operators will be granted a three-year period to update or replace their equipment to comply with the new standards.

In addition to the technical implementation, the amendments would broaden the powers of Lithuania’s gambling regulator and simplify compliance duties for operators starting May 1, 2027.

Prime Minister Inga Ruginienė has endorsed the reforms, stating that the administration is exploring various measures to bolster oversight and minimize gambling-related harm.

This initiative builds upon previous gambling reforms in Lithuania. In June 2024, the budget and finance committee approved measures to establish a centralized player database and impose monthly or annual loss limits. Furthermore, the nation has implemented strict advertising regulations, including a prohibition on most outdoor gambling advertisements starting July 1, 2025, and a total ban effective January 1, 2028.