Olybet under investigation for breaching Lithuania advertising ban

• Lithuania’s Gambling Supervisory Authority has opened a formal investigation into Olympic Casino Group Baltija over alleged unauthorised gambling advertising
• The probe centres on Olybet branding displayed at a Fan Zone in Vilnius where visitors watched European Basketball Championship games
• New gambling advertising restrictions took effect on 1 July, banning outdoor gambling promotion except at licensed premises

Lithuania’s Gambling Supervisory Authority (LPT) has launched a formal inspection into Olympic Casino Group Baltija, operator of the Olybet brand, over alleged unauthorised gambling advertising at a public viewing venue in Vilnius.

The investigation was triggered after Olybet trademarks were prominently displayed at a Fan Zone near the White Bridge in Vilnius, where visitors gathered to watch European Basketball Championship games. The regulator determined that the gambling branding violated new advertising restrictions that took effect on 1 July.

Lithuania introduced significant amendments to its Gambling Law in July, implementing a ban on outdoor gambling advertising as part of a transitional phase towards a complete prohibition on gambling promotion. Under the current regulations, operators may only display their name or trademark on premises where gambling activities are organised.

While the law permits public announcements when betting companies sponsor sports events or broadcasts, the LPT clarified that the Fan Zone does not qualify under these exceptions.

“A fan zone where you can watch matches is not considered a sports event or its broadcast,” the regulator said.

The investigation comes despite prior warnings from the LPT. The regulator confirmed it had already provided guidance to both Olympic Casino Group Baltija and Motiventti, the company organising the White Bridge event, outlining the new advertising restrictions.

Those consultations, according to the authority, “were not taken into account”. The Fan Zone, which carries the patronage of the City of Vilnius and received municipal permission, has drawn particular concern due to its family-friendly nature and accessibility to minors.

The LPT has since urged Vilnius Municipality to implement corrective action regarding the gambling branding at the venue. This latest probe adds to Olympic Casino Group Baltija’s regulatory challenges in Lithuania, where the operator has faced previous penalties for advertising violations.

Earlier this year, Lithuania imposed a record €8.4 million fine on Olympic Casino Group Baltija (OCGB) for failing to properly monitor the source of a high-stakes player’s funds, highlighting the regulator’s increasingly stringent enforcement approach.

The gambling watchdog has been preparing the sector for the advertising restrictions since March, conducting five meetings with market participants and stakeholders, providing 45 individual consultations, and publishing comprehensive guidance on its website. Even after the new rules took effect in July, the regulator continued offering advice and adaptation suggestions when potential violations were identified.

Lithuania’s advertising crackdown forms part of broader efforts to reduce gambling’s accessibility, attractiveness and potential harm to society. The transitional measures are designed to prepare operators and the public for a comprehensive advertising ban that will further restrict gambling promotion across the country.