Lithuania's

lotteries

association

A lottery is a game played according to established rules, in which players compete for cash or non-cash prizes based on the tickets they have purchased. Events in which a person who purchases a specific good or service can win an additional prize are not considered lotteries. Gambling organized by companies holding gambling licenses (casinos, sports betting, slot machine parlors, and their online equivalents) is also not a lottery.

Lotteries held in Lithuania are divided into major and minor lotteries. Major lotteries in Lithuania may be organized by companies of the Republic of Lithuania, as well as foreign companies that have registered a branch in the country, operate in accordance with the laws of the Republic of Lithuania, meet the requirements of the country’s laws, and have obtained a license to organize major lotteries. Such licenses are granted by, and the activities of the companies that receive them are supervised by, the Gaming Control Authority under the Ministry of Finance of the Republic of Lithuania. The same basic requirements apply to the granting of licenses for small lotteries, but these licenses are issued by the executive body of the municipality in whose territory the lotteries are to be organized.

What sets large lotteries apart is that their tickets may be sold throughout the entire territory of Lithuania, and there is no limit on the face value of the tickets to be sold. All lotteries whose drawings are broadcast on television and whose tickets are sold in shopping centers and other usual locations are organized throughout the territory of Lithuania and are therefore classified as major lotteries. Tickets for small lotteries are sold and the lottery is organized during sporting events, cultural events, or other public events, and prizes are awarded by the end of the event, and the total face value of tickets to be distributed may not exceed 30,000 euros.

It is most important for lottery participants to know that, regardless of the type of lottery, lottery organizers must hold an operating license, and the lottery itself must have approved rules. At the request of lottery participants, the lottery organizer must provide them with the aforementioned documents.