Cross-Institutional Meeting Confronts Digital Crime Risks
Lithuanian authorities have stepped up efforts to combat illegal online gambling, holding a cross-institutional meeting at the Government Chancellery on 20 November to address the rapid rise of fraudulent domains and the broader risks tied to digital financial crime.
The session forms part of a work programme introduced under a decree issued by the Prime Minister. Moreover, it brought together key representatives from the Government Chancellery, the National Cybersecurity Centre, the State Consumer Rights Protection Service, the Department of Drug, Tobacco and Alcohol Control and the Bank of Lithuania. Additionally, technology analysis organisation Debunk.org joined the discussion, contributing its expertise in online fraud detection and fact-checking.
Illegal Gambling Websites Continue to Grow
The Gambling Supervisory Authority delivered a detailed assessment of the challenges linked to illegal remote gambling and domain blocking. It highlighted that the authority now ranks as Lithuania’s third most active institution in applying domain restrictions, maintaining a register of almost 2,000 illegal gambling websites. Furthermore, the regulator updates this list regularly and publishes it publicly.
Enforcement Measures Expand Across Financial and Digital Channels
Under current procedures, the authority can instruct internet service providers to block access to illegal domains once a court order is issued. It may also require financial institutions to stop payment settlements with unlicensed operators. Consequently, restrictions have continued to tighten, particularly after 1 May 2025 when card-initiated transactions became permitted only with operators listed on the national “White List”.
Europe Faces Serious Online Fraud Threat
Officials also examined the wider scale of the issue across Europe. According to discussions, financial fraud causes losses estimated to exceed €4bn ($4.6bn) annually, and over half of reported cases originate on Meta-owned platforms such as Facebook and Instagram.
Authorities Aim for Faster Coordination and Better Technology
Participants agreed that better prevention depends on faster institutional coordination. In addition, they emphasised the need for broader use of automation and technology, as well as more adaptable regulatory frameworks to enable stronger and faster intervention against illegal activity.
Cooperation between agencies will continue as authorities seek new strategies to disrupt unlicensed operators and reduce consumer exposure to harmful online activity.
Part of a Wider Regulatory Crackdown
Finally, the regulatory agenda aligns with Lithuania’s broader gambling reforms. In November 2024, the country passed legislation banning most forms of gambling advertising from July 2025, strengthening marketing restrictions while supporting enhanced consumer protection measures.
