The Seimas of Lithuania continues to reform the Baltic state’s gambling laws, approving new amendments to the national Gambling Law and the Lottery & Gaming Tax Law. 

Gambling Law amendments will see the Lithuania Gambling Control Authority introduce a new type of licence for ‘the organisation (of) remote gambling services’.

The introduction of a new remote gambling licence is required in order for the government to separate remote gambling requirements from rules applied for land-based gambling businesses

Under existing laws, gambling enterprises require ‘municipal approval’ for licences that can only be granted to firms that have established  business presence and operate land-based venues.

A designated licence for remote operators will waive the requirement to have a domiciled business presence in Lithuania.

“The organisation of remote gambling, unlike land-based gambling, is not related to their execution in a specific territory (municipality), that is, remote gambling is carried out online throughout the territory of the Republic of Lithuania,” the amendment read.

“Therefore it is not appropriate to require the consent of the municipality when issuing a permit for remote gambling.”  

Businesses operating under existing online Gambling Law licences have been given a two-year timeframe within which to transfer to a specific remote licence.

Amendments to the Lottery & Tax Law saw the Seimas approve a new licensing fee framework that will charge remote operators a one-off fee of €500,000.

Meanwhile, operators that have a land-based and remote presence will be charged  €1m.