Lithuania tightens laws, France raises taxes, India starts a lottery, and poker recognized as a sport
Lithuania implements stringent new regulations, India launches its first legal online lottery, France increases taxes on gambling, and poker is officially recognized as a mind sport by the International Mind Sports Association (IMSA).
Lithuania reinforces gambling regulation
The Lithuanian Parliament has approved amendments to the Law on Gambling which introduce more stringent regulations for operators and players. From July 1, 2025, the minimum age for participation in any form of gambling, except for the national lottery, will be increased to 21. Previously, this restriction only applied as a requirement to enter land-based casinos.
It will be the responsibility of operators, both land-based and online, to maintain records of customer transactions and provide this information to the Gambling Control Authority. Furthermore, financial institutions will be required to block payments to unlicensed sites in order to combat illegal gambling.
One of the primary objectives of the amendments is to require the presence of a specially designated employee in gambling establishments. This trained professional will be responsible for monitoring and assessing the behavior of players. In the event of any observed irresponsible conduct, this individual will have the authority to temporarily suspend the player in question from further participation in games for up to 48 hours.
From July 2025, there will also be a complete ban on gambling advertising. An exception is made only for sponsorship of sporting events, which will be allowed until 2028. Online advertising of bookmakers will continue to be permitted, but with certain restrictions. Such advertisements must link directly to the operator's main website and occupy no more than 20% of advertising space between the hours of 6 a.m. and 6 p.m., and 10% between 6 p.m. and midnight.
Furthermore, the taxation of gambling operators' income will be increased from 20% to 22% in 2025. A proportion of these proceeds will be allocated to raising public awareness of the associated risks and supporting the media, which will experience a decline in revenue as a result of the prohibition on advertising. The Lithuanian Ministry of Finance anticipates that these measures will facilitate the development of a safer gambling environment and contribute towards a reduction in the prevalence of addiction.
India launches its first legal online lottery
The Indian government has introduced a new state-run online lottery, which is designed to enhance transparency and reliability in an industry that has previously been the subject of fraud allegations. Indian players are now able to participate in this new format.
The Goa Small Savings and Lotteries Authority has licensed the platform, which operates through a mobile app. Rhiti Group has assumed the role of operator. The company's founder, Arun Pandey, has indicated that Great Goa Games offers players a “safe and convenient way to try their luck”. Regulations for online lotteries were approved in February 2023.
Currently, 13 states have enacted legislation authorizing lotteries. However, in most of the country, these activities remain prohibited due to concerns regarding gambling addiction, corruption, and operational deficiencies.
France raises taxes on gambling
French authorities are preparing to implement a tax increase on the gambling industry. This decision is part of a strategy to address the state deficit by raising taxes in high-income sectors.
The current tax rate for operators in France is approximately 55% of their gross gaming revenue. This rate varies according to line of business, but it is clear that it will place a significant additional burden on businesses. However, there has been an exception made in the case of horse racing, where taxes will remain unchanged, following discussions with industry representatives.
Experts caution that the proposed tax increase could have a detrimental impact on the legal industry by inadvertently strengthening the position of unlicensed operators. Additionally, the changes may have a negative effect on the sports sector, which relies on revenues from sports betting.
Poker is recognized as a mind sport
In a decision which was the culmination of years of advocacy on behalf of the poker community, the International Mind Sports Association (IMSA) has officially recognized poker as a mind sport, categorizing it alongside other recognized disciplines such as chess and cybersports.
The decision was finally reached after years of lobbying by the World Poker Federation (WPF), representing over 45 national member federations. The WPF's mission is to promote poker as a discipline requiring mental skill, strategic thinking, and concentration — all of which align with the IMSA's criteria for mind sports.
The decision was announced at the BSOP Millions in Sao Paulo, the largest poker event in Latin America. The next step will be to standardize the rules in order to protect players at the event.
