The Impact of the EU Digital Services Regulation on Online Gaming Platforms in the Baltic States

The EU’s Digital Services Act (DSA) has revolutionised the online services landscape across Europe. It is not just a regulatory overhaul but a fundamental change in how platforms manage content, target ads and protect users, especially minors. The impact is particularly visible in the Baltic countries, where the gaming market is global but user expectations and regulatory action are local. This article looks at how the DSA will affect online gaming platforms in Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania, and how operators can adapt and strategically exploit the change.

What the DSA Brings to Gaming Platforms

The Digital Services Act entered into force on 16 February 2024 and applies to all digital intermediation services, including gaming platforms. The reform aims to increase user trust and transparency and ensure that digital services take responsibility for content management and advertising.

For gaming platforms, this means clearer practices in user communication, transparency in advertising and structured risk management. Different platforms are required to comply in different ways based on their size and scope. The largest players, such as https://24bet.fi/, must meet the most stringent requirements, including external audits, detailed risk reporting and real-time monitoring.

The changes are visible in three main areas: first, platforms must explain to users how content is organised and why it may be removed. Second, the background and targeting criteria for advertising must be made transparent. Third, internal processes, responsibilities and documentation must be reorganised in a way that can withstand external scrutiny.

Platform Roles and Regulatory Enforcement

Online gaming platforms can be divided into different categories based on how they operate. Regulation varies depending on whether the platform is a marketplace where users buy digital products or a community platform where people play, communicate and share content in real time.

Stores and Product Information

Game stores and digital marketplaces need to clarify seller information, product content, return policies and potential risks. Illegal products or content must be easily reportable, and reports must be systematically monitored. Large players must also provide ad-specific information and a precise description of how targeting is implemented.

Community Content and Moderation

Many online gaming platforms allow for user-generated content and real-time interaction. The DSA requires clear community guidelines, reasoned removal decisions and appeal mechanisms. The multilingual user base in the Baltic countries poses particular challenges: moderation must be consistent across languages and based on documented principles that can withstand scrutiny.

Streaming and Real-Time Interaction

Streaming services combine content recommendations, advertising and donations. The regulation requires that advertisements be clearly labelled, the basis of recommendation algorithms be disclosed, and content harmful to minors be identified and blocked. Large players are also required to undergo external audits to examine the impact of algorithms and the effectiveness of moderation methods.

Three Pillars of Regulation: Transparency, Protection and Oversight

The core of the DSA is built on three components: transparency visible to the user, special protection for minors and controllability of internal operations.

Reporting Mechanisms and Dispute Resolution

Services must have notification and response mechanisms for users to report illegal content. Processing times and decisions must be reported annually. Trusted whistleblowers, such as authorities or monitoring organisations, receive expedited processing. Users have the right to appeal removal decisions internally and, if necessary, refer the matter to an independent review.

Advertising Targeting and Protection of Minors

All ads must include information about the payer and the reasons for showing them. Targeting must not be based on sensitive information or directed at minors. Large players must have an open ad library that allows for retrospective review.

Loot boxes and other random reward mechanics require special attention. Transparency of these features, warnings and the ability to restrict them for minors are key responses to regulatory expectations.

Risk Management and Auditing

Very large services with a significant user base in the EU are required to conduct annual impact assessments. These address the risks of disinformation, the protection of minors, the presence of illegal content and the impact of content recommendations. The assessments include an action plan, the success of which is measured and reported. External audits verify processes and data quality.

Special Features of the Baltic States

Although Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania follow EU guidelines, practical implementation shows national priorities that directly affect the operation of online gaming platforms.

Estonia: Agile Governance and Risk-Based Management

In Estonia, authorities operate digitally and efficiently. Gaming services must ensure that seller and payment information is available in multiple languages and that the complaints process works seamlessly. Age verification is carried out on a risk-based basis, and documentation is emphasised during audits.

Latvia: Linguistic Balance and Payment Security

In Latvia, consistency in moderation decisions and multilingual customer service are under close scrutiny by authorities. The diversity of payment methods requires close cooperation with local partners to ensure data sharing and transparency of advertising sources.

Lithuania: Advertising Clarity and Data Protection Stringency

In Lithuania, regulators emphasise consent management and clear labelling of advertising. Particular attention is paid to in-game purchases and elements targeting minors. The active role of the data protection authority makes logging and impact assessments mandatory tools in everyday operations. The Baltic Times regularly monitors developments in legislation and technology in the region, especially from the perspective of transparency and accountability of digital services.

Strategic Benefits and Operational Risks

Regulation brings initial investments: building processes, implementing tools and training staff. However, it also offers an opportunity to differentiate in the market.

Trust-building activities can provide a competitive advantage:

- Transparent advertising

- Clear recommendation logic

- Visible protection of minors

Such actions can lower customer acquisition costs and increase engagement. Conversely, risks such as fines or public distrust due to poor moderation can quickly damage a platform’s reputation.

90-Day Plan: How to Respond Wisely

For a platform to respond effectively to regulation, a structured roadmap is needed:

Days 1–30

Process mapping, notification channel identification, data pipeline design

Days 31–60

Tool implementation, language versioning, ad tag updates

Days 61–90

Process testing, training, internal and external reporting

This phased approach helps services adapt to the new regulatory environment without administrative overload and ensures that future audits strengthen the platform's position as a responsible operator.

Summary: DSA Builds Lasting Trust

The EU Digital Services Act is not just a legal obligation but an opportunity to renew trust structures in the gaming industry. When online gaming platforms in Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania take regulation seriously and build effective practices around transparency, moderation and the protection of minors, they are not only complying with the law – they are building sustainable businesses in a rapidly changing environment.