The Lithuanian gambling industry saw significant growth in the first half of 2026, with a 16.8% increase compared to the same period last year. Data released by the Gambling Supervision Authority (LPT) highlighted that this surge was largely due to a rise in remote gambling activities.
In the first six months of 2026, total gross gaming revenue (GGR) reached €153.6 million, up from €131.5 million during the same timeframe in 2025. Remote gambling was a major contributor, accounting for approximately 78% of the overall revenue.
Remote operators generated around €119.9 million in GGR during this period, reflecting a 25% year-on-year growth. In contrast, traditional physical gaming venues reported a decline, with a GGR of €33.7 million, a decrease of 5% from the previous year.
The lottery sector also experienced an uptick, with ticket turnover increasing by 8.6% to €87.73 million, while prizes paid out rose by 10.5% to €49.29 million. This resulted in lottery GGR of €38.44 million, marking a 6.2% rise compared to H1 2025. As of June 30, 2026, two private companies managed the main lottery operations.
Tax revenue from the gambling sector increased by 11.4%, reaching €46.43 million. Casinos and other gambling organizers contributed €30.67 million, whereas lottery operators paid €15.76 million into the state budget. By mid-2026, Lithuania had 12 closed joint-stock companies licensed for gambling activities.
Performance within the remote gambling segment varied significantly by product category. Remote Category A slot machines emerged as the top earners, generating €85.7 million in GGR, a substantial 33% rise compared to the previous year. Remote table games also performed well, with GGR up 34% to €12.3 million. However, remote Category B slot machines faced a sharp revenue decline of 63%, amounting to €424,800. The physical table games sector remained relatively steady, contributing €7.7 million in GGR.
The total number of gambling devices and venues slightly declined compared to H1 2025. Earlier this year, Lithuania's Ministry of Finance suggested implementing mandatory "player cards" to track gambling activities across both online and physical venues. This measure is set to take effect on January 1, 2029, requiring gamblers to have a physical card to enhance monitoring of deposits and winnings across different operators.
