Growth has clear roots in data and regulation. The Lithuanian gambling market continues to expand, and most of that expansion comes from digital channels that deliver iGaming. Official figures show gross gambling revenue in the first half of 2025 reached €131.5 million. That was a 13.4 percent increase compared to the same period in 2024. Players spent €2.3 billion across all gambling formats during those six months. The online segment produced €96.1 million of the total revenue, up 18.2 percent year on year, while land-based revenue rose more modestly by 2.2 percent. These numbers come from the Lithuania Gaming Control Authority under the Ministry of Finance, as reported by multiple industry sources.
Internet access and smartphone use are near universal in Lithuania. That makes the online market a natural fit for many residents. Online gambling includes games, poker, lotteries, and sports wagering. These products are available on phones and computers. Technology and 24 hour access have changed how people spend leisure time. For some it means small stakes on live games in the evening. Others use apps to take part in daily lottery draws. Access to online platforms is immediate and often cheaper than travelling to a physical venue.
Everyday play and phones
Participation on phones reflects wider trends. Lithuanians follow sports such as basketball and football closely. That interest feeds into the gambling ecosystem. People use digital platforms for betting on matches in the Lithuanian Basketball League, the EuroLeague, the English Premier League, and other competitions. Wagers can be placed in seconds during a break in a game. That has helped sustain higher volumes of play.
At the same time, online casino games, card rooms, and other virtual formats offer alternatives for casual players. The ease of use of these products has blurred the line between traditional social gaming and regulated gambling in the minds of many players.
Regulation and the licence regime
Regulation is the base for the growth narrative. The regulatory structure was introduced in Lithuania in 2016, which opened the licensed market for iGaming. The licensed sites are expected to adhere to a stringent process of age verification, identity, and financial regulation. The channelization level for licensed gaming is very high, estimated to lie within the 80 to 90 percent industry aggregates, which implies that a greater majority of licensed gaming occurs on licensed sites. This enhances player confidence that they are dealing with licensed facilities.
The regulated market also serves the state budget. In the first half of 2025, combined gambling and lottery taxes totalled more than €41 million, with about €27 million coming from gambling operators. That revenue supports public services without increasing general taxation. The lottery segment alone saw ticket sales rise 8.2 percent and total turnover 14.1 percent year on year. Winnings paid out also increased by 17.1 percent in the same period.
Regulators have moved to increase safety. From July 2025, new restrictions limited external gambling advertising. Operators may still sponsor cultural or sporting events, but direct ads on TV, radio, and online platforms are capped, with short time limits and content rules. Lithuania also raised the minimum age for online gambling from 18 to 21 to align with existing land-based rules. These changes aim to reduce harm while keeping the market transparent and lawful.
Drivers of digital demand
Lithuania’s population is about 2.8 million. Internet penetration is high and smartphone ownership covers a large majority of adults. A younger demographic that grew up with digital services tends to prefer online engagement for entertainment and leisure. That has helped fuel the shift to online gaming platforms. Sector data reports show the online share of the market growing year after year, with some product categories like online table games rising faster than others. In the first half of 2025, online table games increased revenue by over 36 percent year on year, for example, indicating appetite for diverse formats beyond slots.
Physical locations matter, yet they are now a smaller part of the overall market. Land-based casinos and betting shops only reported modest gains in overall revenues. One operator left the market, resulting in 14 licensed physical operators. Yet, facilities offer face-to-face social experiences and visits from both residents and tourists. In any case, its performance would have indicated stable demands but not the rapid expansion witnessed online.
Risks and responsible play
Rapid development bears new responsibilities. Gambling regulators and independent reports show concerns over the problem gambler population and financial damage it may impose on some citizens. According to Lithuanian authorities, a portion of the population experiences harm from gaming, and its regulator has introduced self-exclusion tools, public awareness campaigns, and data monitoring designed to protect players. Responsible gaming education aims at recognizing the boundary between a play performed in the casual way and the behaviour that may cause a problem.
Licensed platforms must implement safeguards. These include deposit limits, session reminders, and easy access to support services. The regulatory framework also provides mechanisms for players to block access or set time out periods. These measures are meant to reduce harm while keeping play within the legal sector where oversight exists.
What’s to come
Trends suggest online iGaming will continue to expand in Lithuania at least through 2026. Updated figures for the first nine months of 2025 show gross gaming revenue reaching €200.6 million, with remote gambling up nearly 20 percent year on year. Lottery sales also show continued growth. Lithuania’s phased advertising ban will tighten in coming years, and regulators have blocked unlicensed domains to maintain market integrity.
For general readers, it is important to separate the fact of growth from any suggestion that gambling is universally positive. More play means more revenue for operators and the state. It also means more attention on responsible play and consumer protections. People using these services should confirm they are licensed in Lithuania and understand the tools available to manage their activity. The boom in iGaming reflects economic and technological change. It also raises questions about how society supports safe engagement in online entertainment.
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