Minister of Finance: “We try to protect not only gamblers, but also their families”
At today's meeting, the Seimas approved the amendments to the Law on Gambling (LoG) drafted by the Ministry of Finance. The amendments are meant to strengthen the protection not only for problem gamblers, but also for their families and the public. Gambling operators should henceforth reduce the attractiveness of gambling, engage in socially responsible activities and increase transparency of this sector.
“Gambling operators will henceforth be obliged by law to identify players balancing on the edge of problem gambling and to stop their gambling in time. During the entire term of office, we worked by expanding the safeguards and clarifying the gambling system, therefore, the decisions taken today, which will help to reduce negative consequences not only for the gamblers themselves, but also for their families, will also contribute to this approach“, says Minister of Finance Gintarė Skaistė.
The adopted draft also imposes an obligation on gambling operators to ensure that a qualified employee is present at gaming establishments (casinos), gaming machines, bingo halls and pools, who, in case of suspicion that the player becomes irresponsible, would contact him to propose a cooling-off break or to terminate the game.
Online gambling operators are obliged to have a certified online gambling platform that will record the identities of all players, their actions while gambling, including the time and amounts spent on gambling. The platform will also record the actions of the gambling operator in implementing responsible gambling measures and transfer them to the LAKIS (Machine Control Information System) system administered by the Gaming Control Authority at least every 30 days. This will allow the Gaming Control Authority to exercise the effective control over compliance with the law.
It should be noted that fines currently embedded in the law (maximum amount of EUR 25,000 or EUR 5,000 for recurrent infringement) do not dissuade gambling operators from committing infringements due to set fine ceiling. Even the highest possible fine does not seem significant as compared to total income generated by companies. The highest possible fine is equal to daily income of the company (calculating from the average total income of all companies in 2023).
Therefore, the draft law proposes to increase fines and differentiate by nature of infringement. Also, the law envisages mitigating and aggravating circumstances. It is proposed to impose a fine of 2 to 4 per cent of total annual income of the last calendar year for infringements related to the requirements for gambling premises, settlements for gambling, gambling devices and other requirements.
Accordingly, it is proposed to set a fine from 3 to 5 per cent of total annual income of the last calendar year for infringements related to the protection of gamblers, responsible gambling, permissible advertising and encouragement to participate in gambling, as well as to non-compliance with the requirements for share capital and the minimum amount of money to be paid to online gambling winnings.
Moreover, a fine from 6 to 8 per cent and from 8 to 10 per cent of total annual income of the last calendar year is proposed to be imposed for recurrent infringements.
Last updated: 14-11-2024
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