EGBA complaint targets Walletto over alleged illegal gambling payments in Lithuania
The EGBA has filed a complaint against Walletto for processing payments for illegal gambling operators in Lithuania.Summary
The European Gaming and Betting Association (EGBA) has lodged a formal complaint with the Bank of Lithuania, accusing the payment service provider Walletto of processing payments for illegal online gambling operators. The complaint follows an EGBA investigation that included test transactions indicating Walletto's services were linked to deposits on illegal gambling platforms. EGBA argues that illegal gambling businesses rely on access to payment methods and card networks to operate outside licensed systems across the EU. The association warns that players on illegal sites miss out on essential safeguards like identity verification and anti-money laundering controls, and that weak checks may allow minors to access these platforms. EGBA Secretary General Maarten Haijer stated that payment providers should not process transactions for illegal operators and that card schemes also have a crucial role in combating illegal transactions. This complaint comes a year after EGBA supported a Court of Justice of the European Union ruling regarding Lithuania's gambling advertising restrictions, emphasizing the importance of proper legislative procedures and consistent action from financial regulators to stop illegal operators from using legitimate payment infrastructure.
(Source：Readwrite)