Lithuania Raises Gambling Age to 21
Lithuania has approved regulatory changes introducing a uniform minimum gambling age of 21 across retail and online channels. The reform also strengthens responsible gambling obligations for operators to prevent harmful play and improve consumer protection.
Unified Age Requirements and Player Monitoring
From November 1, 2025, individuals under 21 will not be allowed to gamble in any licensed venue or online platform in Lithuania. Until now, the minimum age varied depending on the gambling product. Operators will also be required to assess player activity using monitoring systems that identify high-risk behaviour. When a player is flagged as high-risk, access to gambling must be suspended for 48 hours to prevent further losses.
Online users will need to set mandatory limits on deposits and the amount of time spent in each session before they are able to play. Once the time limit is reached, gambling activity must automatically stop without the possibility of extension. These changes are designed to make early intervention more consistent and prevent escalation of risky gambling patterns.
Updated Penalties and Compliance Timeline
Financial sanctions for non-compliance will be significantly increased to encourage stronger oversight from gambling operators. Instead of fixed fines, penalties will be based on each operator’s annual revenue, meaning larger companies face proportionally larger consequences. Higher fines will apply to repeat violations, particularly concerning responsible gambling measures. Some of the technical elements, including deposit-limit tools, will come into force later to ensure operators have time to implement them properly.
Regulators expect that a gradual rollout will improve the accuracy of monitoring systems and reduce loopholes. Authorities emphasize that these reforms aim to reduce the social harms associated with gambling while strengthening the accountability of licensed businesses. The updated framework signals a continued shift toward more restrictive and preventive gambling regulation across the European market.