In Lithuania, the gambling landscape is overseen by the Lithuanian Gambling Supervisory Authority. This regulatory body actively keeps an eye on nationwide gambling operations, doling out fines or enforcing additional penalties when violation instances arise. One such entity recently landing under the regulator’s microscope was Amber Gaming, a notable player within the country’s betting and gaming circuit. The Authority announced this Tuesday that a hefty €15,000 ($15,900) penalty was levied on the operator for contravening the Lithuanian Gambling Laws.
The genesis of this latest fine was a disclosure made by a local bettor earlier within the year. As per the timeline, the said bettor lodged a formal complaint in May, asserting that Amber Gaming restricted their betting options. At that period, the bettor disclosed that the gaming operator failed to adequately explain the rationale behind the said restrictions.
When the Authority inquired Amber Gaming about the incident, the company responded by informing that the individual raising the complaint had placed an impressive 279 sports bets. While shedding more light on the matter, Amber Gaming expressed its reservation on revealing detailed data pertaining to the individual in question, citing it to be deemed confidential and a part of the company’s trade secret. They also mentioned that details about the bettor’s betting activities were classified, following its compliance manager’s decision.
The gaming operator’s response prompted the Authority to initiate an immediate “unscheduled special review”. The primary goal of this inspection was to assess whether Amber Gaming adhered to the approved gambling guidelines in the nation. Unfortunately, the Authority’s investigation uncovered that Amber Gaming neglecting to disclose the justification for restricting the bettor’s options was not disclosed. Consequently, this led to the understanding that the company’s actions breached Article 18, paragraph 1 of the Republic of Lithuania’s Gambling Laws.
Amber Gaming’s Latest Fine Is Not Its Maiden Regulatory Penalty This Year
Information about this latest punitive action ensued when previously this month, the regulatory body leveled another fine. The company on the receiving end was none other than Lithuania’s renowned online casino and sportsbook operator, Top Sport. The Authority penalized the firm nearly $27,000 for contravening policies related to its services offered to a self-excluded user.
The above-mentioned pecuniary punishment wasn’t Top Sport’s first encounter with the regulator this year. However, this recent financial penalty by the Authority is not only exclusive to Top Sport but also marks the second disciplinary action against Amber Gaming. In February of this year, the regulatory body handed a €6,000 ($6,400) bill to the operator. This action was in response to their investigative findings which revealed that during June and August 2022, Amber Gaming transmitted two communications allegedly directing its clients towards its site.
