Estonia and Lithuania implement new gambling regulations

Estonia and Lithuania are implementing distinct regulatory frameworks for the gambling sector.

In Estonia, the Tax and Customs Board manages a two-step licensing process requiring both an activity licence and an operating permit. The system emphasizes digital integration, requiring remote gambling systems to connect directly to the board’s information system. The regulator also actively blocks access to unlicensed remote gambling sites to enforce compliance.

Lithuania is moving toward stricter controls under the Lithuanian Gaming Control Authority (LPT). Significant changes are scheduled through 2028, including a rise in the minimum gambling age to 21 by November 2025. By January 1, 2028, Lithuania will implement a near-total ban on gambling advertising and sponsorship, which will impact sports clubs and cultural events. Current restrictions already prohibit off-site promotion of casino games and limit sports betting advertisements to specific formats with mandatory responsible-gambling warnings.