The Lithuanian gambling sector experienced robust growth in the first half of 2026, expanding by 16.8% compared to the same period in 2025.
Thursday’s published data from Lithuania’s Gambling Supervision Authority (LPT), revealed that this was driven predominantly by a surge in remote gambling activity.
Total gross gaming revenue (GGR) – defined by LPT as the total bets placed less winnings paid out – reached €153.6 million during the first six months of 2026. This represented a notable increase from €131.5 million recorded in the corresponding period of the previous year.
Remote gambling dominated the market, accounting for around 78% of total revenue.
Remote operators amassed a combined GGR of approximately €119.9 million in H1 2026, marking a 25% year-on-year increase. Conversely, traditional brick-and-mortar venues saw a decline, generating €33.7 million in GGR, down 5% over the same period.
The lottery segment also recorded growth, with ticket turnover climbing 8.6% to €87.73 million. Prizes paid out rose by 10.5%, reaching €49.29 million.
This left lottery GGR at €38.44 million, an increase of 6.2% compared to H1 2025. Two private companies operated the major lotteries as of 30 June 2026.
Tax revenue and market participants
Tax income from the gambling sector increased by 11.4%, rising to €46.43 million. Of this sum, €30.67 million was contributed by casinos and other gambling organisers, while lottery operators paid €15.76 million into the state budget.
By mid-year, 12 closed joint-stock companies held licences to operate gambling activities in Lithuania.
Product-level performance
Within the remote gambling segment, performance varied widely by product type.
Remote Category A slot machines were the leading revenue generators, producing €85.7 million in GGR , roughly a 33% increase compared with the previous year. Remote table games also contributed significantly, with GGR rising 34% to €12.3 million.
In contrast, remote Category B slot machines experienced a sharp decline, with revenue dropping 63% to €424,800. The physical table-games segment remained relatively stable, yielding €7.7 million in GGR.
Meanwhile, the total number of gambling devices and venues showed a slight contraction relative to H1 2025.
Earlier this year, Lithuania’s Ministry of Finance proposed introducing mandatory “player cards” to monitor individuals’ gambling activities across both online and physical venues.
The initiative, set to come into force on 1 January 2029, would require every gambler to hold a physical card that will facilitate tighter controls over gambling behaviour and enable government authorities to monitor deposits and winnings across different operators
Kathryn Evans
Kathryn covers bitesize breaking news with a primary focus on EMEA and US legislation. A proud North Walian, fluent Welsh speaker and lifelong Wrexham FC fan – long before Hollywood came calling.
Original article: https://igamingbusiness.com/finance/remote-gambling-accounted-78-of-total-revenue-in-h1-lithuanian-regulator/
