Baltics
The Lithuanian Gaming Control Authority (LPT) has completed its inspection: Olympic Casino has been fined almost 8.4 million euros
The company Olympic Casino Group Baltija (OCGB) did not take sufficient steps to identify the origin of Šarūnas Stepukonis’ losing funds, and the monitoring of his financial transactions was only formal and ineffective. Such violations were identified by the Gaming Supervisory Authority, which conducted an inspection of OCGB’s activities in Lithuania. The company was fined almost 8.4 million euros.
The Gaming Supervisory Authority (LPT) investigated the actions taken by OCGB in response to Š. Stepukonis’ transactions on the company’s gaming website from December 2016 to the end of June 2021. The law obliges gaming operators to ensure that customer funds are not obtained from criminal activities or through participation in such activities. It is also mandatory to verify the origin of the funds. LPT found that the measures applied by OCGB were poor and insufficient, and the monitoring of Š. Stepukonis’ transactions was formal.
Gambling organizers must report suspicious transactions to the FNTT. Š. Stepukonis’ transactions had obvious signs that should have raised suspicions for the gambling organizer. However, the FNTT was not informed about this.
During the inspection, evidence was also collected that Š. Stepukonis’ gambling was irresponsible. The gambling company should have noticed this, especially since the client was assigned a personal manager who saw all of his transactions.
“Instead of finding out whether Š. Stepukonis had a gambling problem or informing the supervisory authority, Olympic Casino encouraged him to gamble even more. An individual incentive package was prepared for him. A total of 1.3 million euros was allocated for this. This “bonus” could only be spent on gambling. Other incentives were also allocated,” – comments on the results of the inspection by LPT Director Virginijus Daukšys.
Since mid-2021, gambling companies in Lithuania have no longer been allowed to offer incentives to their customers that they would later lose. Just before this tightening came into effect, Š. Stepukonis’ virtual gambling was moved from Lithuania to Estonia, where it was still allowed to encourage gamblers.
In this way, it was possible not only to maintain incentives for gambling, but also to avoid supervision by the LPT. If an ordinary gambler from Lithuania tried to go and register on the Estonian Olympic Casino website, he would be redirected to the Lithuanian website. However, in the case of Š. Stepukonis, the redirection was not carried out. These circumstances are part of the pre-trial investigation.
During the inspection, a total of five violations of the provisions of the Law on the Prevention of Money Laundering and Financing of Terrorism and the Law on Gambling were identified.
The law allows for a fine of up to twice the amount of damage caused. The damage was determined to be 6.4 million euros – the amount Š. Stepukonis lost at the Olympic Casino in Lithuania. When calculating the fine, an aggravating circumstance was taken into account – the company did not cooperate during the inspection.
According to V. Daukšys, after this story came to light, steps were taken to prevent similar cases from recurring. The most important change is the law, proposed by the LPT, which obliges gambling companies to take action upon noticing irresponsible gambling and to provide information about it to the LPT.
“Until now, there was no such obligation. Therefore, the LPT did not have information that would allow it to take preventive actions in advance,” says V. Daukšys.
The new Gambling Law will come into force in November this year. Its aim is to reduce the accessibility, attractiveness and potential harm to personal health of gambling.
LPT also reviewed its procedures, adjusted internal procedures, allowing for more frequent scheduled inspections of the activities of gambling companies. In addition, the Ministry of Finance conducted an audit of LPT’s activities. No significant operational deficiencies were identified during the audit. LPT took into account the audit recommendations and allocated more human resources to money laundering prevention functions.
Source: Gambling Supervisory Authority under the Ministry of Finance of the Republic of Lithuania
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Anna Borisenkova
Stakelogic Live and Optibet Double Down on Live Casino with Branded Blackjack and Roulette Launches
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Stakelogic Live has reinforced its position in the Baltic market with the launch of exclusive branded live casino tables for Optibet, the leading sportsbook and casino brand in the region and part of global iGaming powerhouse Entain.
Following the successful rollout of Optibet-branded roulette and Optibet-branded blackjack, players in Latvia and Estonia can now enjoy both premium tables, which are now live via Pariplay’s Fusion aggregation platform.
Developed and streamed from Stakelogic Live’s state-of-the-art studio, both blackjack and roulette tables have been fully customised to reflect Optibet’s distinctive branding. Hosted by native-speaking professional dealers and filmed in high definition, the games offer an immersive environment tailored to Optibet’s local player base, combining high production values with seamless gameplay.
This partnership marks a continued strategic expansion for Stakelogic Live, which has rapidly become one of the most sought-after providers of branded and bespoke live casino environments in Europe.
Neil Tanti, Head of Sales at Stakelogic, said: “Optibet is a flagship brand across the Baltic states and we’re proud to bring their identity to life in the live casino space. This collaboration goes beyond adding tables to a lobby, it’s about creating an immersive branded universe that players can connect with. The launch is just the next step in what we expect to be a long and fruitful partnership.”
Anna Borisenkova, Head of Live Casino at Optibet, said: “Optibet has built its reputation on delivering premium gaming experiences with a strong local identity. Partnering with Stakelogic Live to create branded blackjack and roulette tables allows us to enrich that experience even further. These games reflect our brand and set the stage for a truly standout live casino offering across Latvia and Estonia.”
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HIPTHER, the pioneering events organizer that first put the Baltics on the map for premium networking and learning in the iGaming and tech industries, is proud to announce the launch of HIPTHER Baltics: a new, expanded event format bringing three flagship conferences per year across Vilnius, Riga, and Tallinn.
Since 2018, HIPTHER has been at the forefront of industry development in the region with the event that became known as MARE BALTICUM Gaming & TECH Summit, rotating annually between the Baltic capitals. Now, as part of the events’ major rebranding and expansion, the Baltics receive dedicated focus through HIPTHER Baltics, offering professionals more opportunities than ever to connect, learn, and grow.
In 2026, HIPTHER Baltics will host three specialized events:
- HIPTHER Baltics: Vilnius – iGaming Regulation & Fintech Integration
21 April 2026 | Hilton Garden Inn Vilnius City Centre - HIPTHER Baltics: Riga – Cross-Border Compliance & Player Protection, Baltic Gaming Awards
12 May 2026 | Grand Hotel Kempinski Riga - HIPTHER Baltics: Tallinn – Digital Governance & Startup Innovation & Nordic Focus
2 June 2026 | Hilton Tallinn Park
Each conference will deliver premium learning and networking opportunities for stakeholders across iGaming, fintech, blockchain, AI, cybersecurity, and emerging tech sectors. Attendees can look forward to insightful panel discussions, interactive sessions, and unrivaled opportunities to build lasting connections.
Adding to the experience, each event will include:
- Day 0 Welcome Drinks – a relaxed pre-conference gathering to spark early connections.
- Closing Networking Party – a vibrant celebration designed to strengthen business relationships and collaborations.
- HIPTHER Academy – Launched in 2024, HIPTHER Academy is a structured learning platform embedded within conferences, empowering professionals with in-demand skills and recognized certifications in iGaming and Tech.
Zoltan Tündik, Co-Founder & Head of Business at HIPTHER, stated about HIPTHER Baltics 2026: “Transforming MARE BALTICUM into HIPTHER Baltics marks a huge evolution in how we serve the iGaming and tech ecosystems of the region. By expanding from one annual summit to three flagship events, we’re able to provide more tailored, jurisdiction-specific experiences that dive deeper into the most pressing topics, while continuing to foster the premium networking and knowledge-sharing our community expects”.
With HIPTHER Baltics, the future of iGaming and tech collaboration in the region is brighter than ever!
Learn more about HIPTHER Baltics & Get SUPER Early Bird Tickets Until 31 October 2025!
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CT Interactive has expanded its international footprint in Latvia with 60 newly certified games and a three-level jackpot tailored for the regulated iGaming market. This achievement underscores the company’s commitment to providing high-quality, engaging content.
“The certification in Latvia is an important step in our ongoing European expansion. We’re proud to introduce a diverse portfolio of games to this regulated market and to further strengthen our presence in the Baltic region,” said Martin Ivanov, COO at CT Interactive.
The newly certified portfolio includes 60 games, featuring top-performing titles that are part of CT Interactive’s three-level jackpot system — Hot Luck. Built on the principles of surprise and inclusivity, this jackpot system delivers a dynamic and rewarding experience for players of all types.
The Hot Luck Jackpot boosts player engagement with its three-level random rewards, making gameplay more exciting and unpredictable. Players can now enjoy popular titles like Win Storm, Wild Clover and Hot 7’s x2 with added thrill thanks to the Hot Luck Jackpot. These games have proven successful across multiple markets and maintain a loyal player base.
The portfolio also features new titles from CT Interactive’s Buy Bonus product line, based on popular games like Duck of Luck, Fruits & Sweets, Doctor Winstein and Nanook the White Ghost. These upgraded versions include one- or three-level Buy Bonus features for even more dynamic gameplay.
The post CT Interactive Expands its Certified Game Portfolio in Latvia appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
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