Before 1992, betting in Lithuania was a distant concept as the country was part of the Soviet Union, where betting was prohibited. But with the Latvijas Loto's introduction in 1992, the landscape changed. Lithuania witnessed the legalization of online gambling sites in 2001, driven partly by the Catholic church's influence. This marked the onset of both local and international sports betting sites in Lithuania becoming accessible to locals.
However, the real boom in sports betting Lithuania experienced began around 2015. As thousands of locals registered on platforms, the government took prompt action to ensure safe and secure online betting Lithuania experience for its citizens. With the 2016 amendment of the Gaming Law, online sports betting was fully legalized.
Despite attempts to block unlicensed Lithuania betting sites, some significant platforms continue to bypass these restrictions. But, with the Gaming Control Authority overseeing online gambling, there's an added layer of security for players. Notably, as of July 1, 2021, all gambling advertising, including free betting in Lithuania promotions, was banned, ensuring a safer betting environment for everyone.