Members of the Lithuanian parliament, a body known as Seimas, have voted to raise the gambling tax by 2 percentage points, from 20 percent to 22 percent, starting on January 1, 2025. Seventy-two members supported the increase, and nine abstained.
“In principle,” said Finance Minister Gintarė Skaistė, the higher tax on gambling and lotteries “should not have a significant impact on the competitiveness of this sector,” but could generate up to €4.4 million (US$4.7 million) in new taxes. Some of that revenue has been earmarked for problem gambling awareness.
Other proceeds will be used to compensate media outlets who lost money after a ban on gambling advertisements.
According to Lithuanian news outlet LRT, Liutauras Ulevičius, head of the National Association of Gambling and Gaming Business, has expressed concern that some companies affected by the tariff might have to pull out of the market.
In 2023, gross gaming revenues came to €222.2 million (US$238 million), up 13.5 percent over 2022, with operators’ profits totaling €59 million (US$63 million).
