Lithuanian Court Upholds €15,000 Fine Against Top Sport

In a decisive ruling, Lithuania’s Supreme Administrative Court has rejected Top Sport’s appeal against a €15,000 fine for violating self-exclusion and surveillance regulations. This court decision underscores the Lithuanian Gaming Control Authority’s commitment to enforcing strict regulations in the gambling industry.

Lithuanian Court Upholds Top Sport’s €15,000 Fine for Self-Exclusion Breach

Top Sport, one of Lithuania’s leading gambling operators, has lost its appeal against a €15,000 fine imposed by the Lithuanian Gaming Control Authority. The Supreme Administrative Court upheld the fine, which was originally issued for self-exclusion and surveillance breaches that occurred in one of the operator’s retail venues.

Key Points:

1. Appeal Rejected by Court: Top Sport’s appeal against the fine for self-exclusion violations and improper camera surveillance was rejected by the Supreme Administrative Court.
2. Self-Exclusion Breach: A player who had self-excluded from gambling was allowed to enter a retail venue, breaching self-exclusion regulations.
3. Surveillance Issues: In addition to the self-exclusion breach, surveillance cameras were improperly positioned, failing to monitor transactions at the cash register, and recordings were not retained for the required 180 days.

Initial Breach and Investigation

The Lithuanian Gaming Control Authority imposed the €15,000 fine on Top Sport last year after investigating violations of the country’s strict gambling regulations. A self-excluded player was able to gain access to a retail gambling venue, which prompted the regulatory action. In addition to the self-exclusion failure, the investigation uncovered that cameras in the venue were not properly positioned to monitor transactions, and video recordings were not kept for the required period of 180 days.

Top Sport responded to the investigation by terminating two employees. However, the Vilnius District Administrative Court initially ruled that the fine was justified, prompting Top Sport to take the case to the Supreme Administrative Court.

Court Ruling

The Supreme Administrative Court ruled in favor of the Lithuanian Gaming Control Authority, stating that the fine was both “legal and reasonable.” The court upheld the initial ruling, emphasizing that Top Sport is responsible for ensuring that staff, customers, and transactions are properly monitored through security camera footage.

The court further noted that gambling operators must take full responsibility for the surveillance and safety measures in their venues. This includes adhering to self-exclusion laws that protect players from gambling addiction, as well as ensuring full visibility of financial transactions to prevent potential misconduct.

Lithuanian Gambling Market

The ruling against Top Sport comes as the Lithuanian gambling market continues to grow. The Lithuanian Gaming Control Authority recently reported that gambling revenue in the country reached €116 million in the first half of 2024, an increase of 12.6% year-on-year. The online gambling sector has been a major driver of this growth, with online gambling revenue rising by 12.5% to €72.2 million.

Category A online slots, which allow for unlimited winnings, contributed €53.5 million from a total player spend of €627.7 million, marking a 6.2% increase. Meanwhile, online table games generated €6.7 million, an increase of 11.7%. Top Sport remains one of the most prominent operators in the market, but it has faced several fines over the past two years due to regulatory breaches.

The Supreme Administrative Court’s ruling against Top Sport highlights the importance of compliance with Lithuania’s gambling regulations, particularly concerning self-exclusion and surveillance. As the country’s gambling market continues to grow, the Lithuanian Gaming Control Authority remains vigilant in ensuring operators meet their regulatory obligations, protecting both consumers and the integrity of the market.