The Lithuanian gambling industry saw significant growth in the first half of 2026, increasing by 16.8% compared to the previous year. According to data released by the Gambling Supervision Authority (LPT) on Thursday, this growth was largely fueled by a rise in remote gambling activities.
Total gross gaming revenue (GGR) reached €153.6 million in the first six months of 2026, up from €131.5 million during the same period in 2025.
Remote gambling was the primary driver of this revenue, accounting for approximately 78% of the total. Remote operators generated a GGR of around €119.9 million in H1 2026, a significant increase of 25% year-over-year. In contrast, physical gambling venues saw a decline, with revenues falling to €33.7 million, a 5% decrease compared to the previous year.
The lottery sector also posted positive results, with ticket turnover rising 8.6% to €87.73 million, and the amount paid out in prizes increasing by 10.5% to €49.29 million. This resulted in a lottery GGR of €38.44 million, reflecting a 6.2% growth from H1 2025. As of June 30, 2026, two private companies were responsible for operating the major lotteries in Lithuania.
Tax revenues from the gambling sector grew by 11.4%, totaling €46.43 million. Of this amount, casinos and other gambling organizers contributed €30.67 million, while lottery operators paid €15.76 million into the state's budget.
By mid-2026, a total of 12 closed joint-stock companies held licenses to conduct gambling activities in Lithuania.
Performance within the remote gambling category varied by type. Remote Category A slot machines led in revenue generation, bringing in €85.7 million in GGR, reflecting a roughly 33% increase from the previous year. Remote table games also performed well, with GGR increasing by 34% to €12.3 million. However, remote Category B slot machines experienced a sharp decline, with revenue dropping 63% to €424,800. The physical table-game segment remained stable, yielding €7.7 million in GGR.
Overall, the total number of gambling devices and venues showed a slight decline compared to the first half of 2025.
Earlier this year, the Ministry of Finance in Lithuania proposed an initiative requiring the introduction of mandatory "player cards" to track gambling activities in both online and physical venues. Set to take effect on January 1, 2029, this initiative will mandate that every gambler possess a physical card, enabling tighter control over gambling behaviors and allowing authorities to monitor deposits and winnings across different operators.
