EGBA Files Walletto Complaint Over Illegal Gambling Payments
The European Gaming and Betting Association filed a formal complaint with the Bank of Lithuania against payment service provider Walletto on 10 July 2026. EGBA alleges that illegal online gambling operators, which target European consumers, used the Lithuania-based company’s services to process deposits.
The complaint follows an EGBA investigation into illegal gambling websites and apps. According to the association, test transactions showed that Walletto processed deposits linked to several of these platforms.
EGBA did not name the gambling operators involved or disclose the number and value of the transactions identified during its investigation.
EGBA Calls for Tighter Payment Controls
EGBA said the complaint points to a broader weakness across Europe’s payment chain. Illegal gambling operators depend on payment service providers, acquirers and card networks to accept deposits and continue to function outside licensed markets.
In addition, the association argued that access to mainstream payment methods allows illegal operators to avoid licensing requirements, regulatory controls and player-protection obligations.
By contrast, illegal platforms offer none of the same protections. Consumers who use them may lack identity checks, safer gambling tools, anti-money laundering controls and guarantees that operators will pay winnings.
Weak verification processes can also allow minors and self-excluded players to access these services, EGBA warned.
The association called for coordinated action from financial regulators, gambling regulators, payment providers, acquirers and card schemes. It wants financial authorities to apply existing payment and anti-money laundering rules more consistently against providers that process transactions for illegal gambling operators.
Card schemes also feature prominently in EGBA’s response. The association said they set the rules that govern payment networks and have access to transaction data other parties may not see.
Maarten Haijer, secretary general of EGBA, said illegal operators rely on legitimate financial channels to reach European consumers.
“Payment providers should not be allowed to process transactions for illegal gambling operators,” Haijer said. “Our aim is simple: to leave them no room to manoeuvre, and to cut off the payment channels they use to reach European consumers.”
He added that card schemes have a crucial role because they control network rules and can monitor transaction flows across their systems.
💡TGJ Take
EGBA’s complaint shifts part of the enforcement focus from illegal operators to the companies that make their transactions possible. Payment providers, acquirers and card schemes now face pressure to show that their monitoring systems can identify gambling merchants that operate without authorisation. For regulated operators, stronger payment controls could reduce the commercial advantage held by offshore competitors that avoid licensing and compliance costs. Card schemes hold the real lever here. If they tighten network rules, illegal operators lose access fast. If they don’t, EGBA’s complaint risks becoming another statement without enforcement behind it.
