Lithuania proposes gambler ID card to block compulsive betting

Lithuania’s finance ministry will introduce a mandatory gambler ID card system to prevent problem gamblers from bypassing self-imposed betting limits, Finance Minister Kristupas Vaitiekūnas announced Friday, LRT reports.

The card would create a unified profile in a central database, allowing all betting operators to track a player’s deposits and winnings across multiple platforms. Once a self-set limit is reached, the system would automatically block further gambling.

“Right now, players set a limit, reach it at one operator, then simply move to another—without even leaving home if betting online,” Vaitiekūnas told LRT Radio. “This loophole lets those who genuinely want help still find ways to keep gambling when that urge takes over.”

Under the draft amendments to the Gambling Law, the card would become compulsory for all gamblers, including online players, starting January 2029. The changes themselves are set to take effect in May 2027, with a transitional period due to the system’s complexity.

The ministry states the card will ensure consistent tracking of deposits and payouts regardless of how many operators a player uses.