Lithuania has confirmed plans to introduce mandatory player cards as the central pillar of its gambling reform programme, with the new framework expected to be fully implemented by 2029.
The country’s Gambling Control Authority said the measure was approved through amendments to Lithuania’s Gaming Law backed by the Ministry of Finance. Officials argue the system will strengthen player protection standards and improve oversight of the gambling sector.
Under the reforms, customers using gambling services across Lithuania’s licensed market will be required to use a personalised gambling card connected to their national ID and player account. The rules will apply to land-based casinos, arcade halls and online gambling operators through a phased rollout planned between 2027 and 2028.
Authorities described the project as one of the most comprehensive gambling control systems in Europe. The player card framework combines identity verification, spending controls and responsible gambling tools within a single centralised structure.
The Gambling Control Authority stressed that the initiative is focused on harm prevention rather than surveillance of players.
According to the regulator, the system is designed to improve supervision of gambling activity, reduce social and financial risks linked to gambling and support the country’s wider responsible gambling strategy.
Each card will be linked to an individual gambling account and pre-set spending limits chosen by the customer. The system will allow players to track their gambling activity, while transactions exceeding established limits will automatically be blocked.
The framework will also connect with Lithuania’s national self-exclusion and age-verification systems. At the same time, authorities have already tightened other gambling safeguards in recent years, including raising the minimum gambling age and introducing stricter venue regulations.
Regulators acknowledged that the new requirements will increase compliance costs and technological obligations for operators. However, officials said the standards will apply equally to all licensed companies and are necessary to ensure consistent responsible gambling and data protection measures.
Lithuania’s approach is expected to draw attention from regulators across Europe, as several countries continue exploring stronger affordability controls and centralised player protection systems.