Top Sport, a prominent online casino and sports wagering enterprise from Lithuania, has once again found itself embroiled in controversy with the local authorities. The company was fined nearly $27,000 after it was implicated in providing gaming services to an individual who had self-excluded from such activities.
The complaint was lodged directly by the self-excluded individual. Despite having listed themselves on Lithuania’s national self-exclusion register, they were able to gain access to their online gaming account in March.
The self-exclusion scheme, a mechanism introduced in October of the previous year, is aimed at safeguarding individuals from the lure of gambling. The Lithuanian Gambling Supervisory Authority was informed that the person in question voluntarily opted for self-exclusion on October 31.
Besides successfully operating their account this March, the person was also found to have accessed the Top Sport account on November 11 and 22 of the previous year. The regulator emphasized that the individual was never logged out of their account post their self-exclusion from gambling activities.
The gamble house was subsequently penalized with the stated fine for this breach. However, the operator has the right to contest the Lithuanian Gambling Supervisory Authority’s judgement if it chooses to.
Top Sport Continually in Troublesome Waters
This isn’t the first time Top Sport has transgressed Lithuania’s gambling regulations. This past June, the gambling company faced allegations of failing to adequately verify the age of three retail customers, one of whom was underage.
The underage gambler along with two other individuals visited and stayed uninterrupted at a Top Sport outlet for approximately two hours. During the entirety of their visit, the Top Sport staff failed to identify the minor and ask the group to depart.
An investigation by the Lithuanian Gambling Supervisory Authority discovered another infringement; Top Sport had failed to place requisite warnings informing visitors about the potential hazards associated with gambling and the possible risks arising from gameplay.
This contravention led to an additional penalty of nearly $27,000.
In even earlier incidents, the Lithuanian Gambling Supervisory Authority penalized Top Sport and Amber Gaming. Top Sport was found guilty of promoting its offerings by sending promotional emails and encouraging individuals to download its app by providing them with download links. The company was hit with another $27,000 sanction because of these transgressions. Amber Gaming, meanwhile, was ordered to pay approximately $6,400 owing to similar violations.
