VILNIUS – Lithuania’s parliament has banned the promotion of gambling, including remote, by any means.
On Thursday, respective amendments to the Law on Gambling were adopted by 105 votes in favor with 14 abstentions.
Pursuant to the amendments, gambling operators will not be able to organize gambling trials, distribute gambling chips or hold other promotions, offer gifts or discounts, or initiate other promotional campaigns.
“It is a type of activity that costs too much for some people in terms of health and not just money,” Aurelijus Veryga of the Lithuanian Farmers and Greens Union told MPs.
Virginijus Dauksys, the director of the Gaming Control Authority, earlier said that the coronavirus crisis had further exacerbated the situation in the gaming market. The authority received many complaints about gambling operators that did not fulfil their obligations and did not deliver on their promises made while inviting people to gamble, he added.
Meanwhile, Mantas Zakarka, a representative of Lithuania’s National Gambling and Gaming Business Association, earlier warned that such a ban would prevent entry of new operators into the market and would act as an incentive for shadow businesses.
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