The Lithuanian Gambling Supervisory Authority (LPT) has launched an investigation into TopSport for using the gambling brand in promotions under the name of the Lithuanian Football A League (A Lyga), an act that is suspected of violating recently amended laws.
The focus of the LPT investigation is on TopSport's use of gambling logos linked to the league.
The new law, effective from July 1, explicitly restricts the presentation of gambling brands in sports sponsorships.
According to the revised Gambling Law, from July onwards, the direct use of names or logos of gambling businesses in any club, league, or individual sponsorship activities is prohibited. Although LPT had provided compliance guidance to TopSport and the A Lyga league before the amendment, both parties did not fully comply with the regulations.
In fact, the official logo of the football league was changed to "TopSport supports A League," but since it still contained the gambling brand, it was still considered a violation. The regulatory body emphasized that the new rules are stricter, aimed at reducing the impact of gambling advertising on the sports ecosystem.
However, the law still preserves limited exposure space, such as displaying betting logos on stadium stands or athlete uniforms, or using neutral phrases without trademarks, such as "Club A sponsored by a gambling company."
Since March, LPT has held five market meetings and conducted 45 individual consultations to help the industry understand and implement the new regulations, while also publishing FAQs on its official website. Since the implementation of the amendment, the regulatory body has continued to promote corporate rectification through reminders and suggestions when potential violations are discovered.
