Lithuania intends to start issuing gambling licences to online casinos



Lithuania intends to start issuing gambling licences to online casinos

Lithuania to start licensing online casinos

The Lithuanian Legislative Assembly, the Seimas, has approved in first reading amendments that will allow the issuing of gambling licences to profile online operators that do not have a land-based presence best casino not on gamstop. This is a significant update to the country's current gambling legislation.

 

It is important to note that now only those companies which also have a land-based presence can organise and conduct online gambling activities within the Lithuanian jurisdiction. At the same time, internet-only operators must cooperate with offline brands in order to be able to offer their services in a Baltic country. However, new amendments to the legislation will introduce a special online licence, which will not require partnerships.

Operators wishing to apply for such a permit will have to have a capital of at least €1.2 million to open an online casino. As for the size of the licensing fee, it will apply to all types of relevant regulatory documentation, including sports betting, horse racing and BKs. Thus, the cost of the permit will be €1 million. Companies will also have to pay an additional fee depending on the type of licence: €300,000 for slot machines, €100,000 for bingo and €500,000 for offering gambling entertainment on the internet.

 

The Seimas amendments would also require the construction of new slot machine halls and betting shops to be approved by municipal councils.

 

According to Mikolas Mayauskas, a member of the Lithuanian legislature and one of the authors of the amendments under consideration, the changes would bring the state an extra €8 million a year. He said that this money could be spent in a targeted way on combating gambling addiction and other social projects.




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