About us
Poker is Not Casino
Poker has evolved. It’s time we evolve too.
Since the first professional tournaments in the 1970s, poker has been recognized as a game of skill with elements of luck. The online poker boom of the early 2000s only reinforced this truth.
Yet in Lithuania, poker is still equated with casino gambling — limiting players’ rights, opportunities, and community growth.
Poker is logic, strategy, psychology, and connection. It’s a sport for the mind.
Why the Lithuanian Poker Players Association Was Founded?
To give players a real voice. Seeing the need to unite poker enthusiasts, we created an association that represents players’ interests, advocates for fair regulation, and works to improve poker’s public image.
Our Goals:
Build a strong, active poker community.
Promote legal recognition of poker as a skill game distinct from gambling.
Advocate for clear and fair regulation of online poker in Lithuania.
Shape a positive public image of poker — as an intellectual pastime or a professional pursuit.
Management
Together we’re building the future
Erikas Laugžemys
Founder and owner of one of the world’s largest poker schools, professional poker player and coach
„I am an enthusiast of strategic games – constant brain exercise, constant opportunity to improve, and it’s all built on the principle of competition. Who doesn’t like to be a winner?
I became interested in poker in my senior school years, when a classmate bought a car with the money he won from the game. I understood then that this could be my field — although the path turned out to be far tougher than I thought.
When mathematicians and game‐theory strategists created the optimal poker strategy (GTO) and then AI-tools appeared on its basis, poker underwent a true revolution. It became a pastime of nerds and digital nomads, and competition intensified to the maximum. It took me a lot of work to reach my goals, but poker became more profitable than I ever imagined. I want to help others achieve the same.“
Area of responsibility: representing interests of online poker players.
Vygerdas Jonikas
Entrepreneur, recreational player, founder of the association
„I have been playing poker for about twenty years. What attracts me is the sports-principle of tournament poker – competition and strategic thinking. I enjoy observing opponents, identifying their weak spots and using them to achieve victory.
I travel frequently across Europe playing live tournaments and see how much this game has grown in popularity in recent years. As an entrepreneur, I see the big opportunities this sector can bring Lithuania through tourism. But for that, legislative changes are urgently needed. I am a patriot and want Lithuania to seize the global market opportunities.“
Area of responsibility: administration of the association’s operations, negotiations with state institutions.
Aistė Paškevičiūtė
Communications specialist, book author, leisure-time player
„I fell in love with poker back in 2009 – that love has not faded. What fascinates me most is that at the poker table everyone has an equal chance to win: everyone is given a seat, starting chip stack and two cards. From then on, everything depends on your skills and luck.
I’ve been in the poker community for over fifteen years – I hosted and produced international TV poker shows, I know many players personally. I am saddened to see how often their activity is misinterpreted. These are motivated, disciplined, innovative people who value critical thinking and constantly strive for growth. I would like them to occupy a proper place in society and be valued for their achievements.“
Area of responsibility: improving poker’s image through communication, public relations, public education, training.
Liutauras Armanavičius
Investor, poker player
„I have been playing poker for nearly twenty years. I immediately took a liking to this strategic game and helped others discover it too. I taught and encouraged several to take their first steps. I helped popularise poker in Lithuania.
I have always stood on the side of players, so it hurts to see how Lithuania still views poker only through the lens of gambling. Because of this outdated view, not only the national budget suffers, but the players themselves — who could contribute significantly to Lithuania’s international reputation. I want to fight for players’ rights and improved conditions in negotiations with poker organisers.“
Area of responsibility: representing and defending the interests of players in discussions with poker organisers.
Vytautas Kalmatavičius
Attorney at “Triniti Jurex”, legal expert and consultant
„My closest friends are poker players, so I know very well the issues of this community.
Over more than twenty years of legal practice, advising major companies in the Baltic States and Western Europe, I have accumulated knowledge that, I believe, will be useful for achieving the goals of the association.
In 2009 I co-founded the Lithuanian Bank Clients Association, defending service-users affected by the crisis. It matters to me that the fundamental principles of law — justice, integrity and rationality — are always respected. The time has come to help those who have become pawns of the law — poker players.“
Area of responsibility: legal consulting, expert evaluations, preparation of legal positions.
Membership
Be part of the change that’s already happening
Why Become a Member?
#1
We Represent You
We work with tournament organizers, institutions, and policymakers to ensure players’ voices are heard. We help resolve disputes, propose legal changes, and fight for better conditions.
#2
We Change Perceptions
Around the world, poker is increasingly recognized as a game of skill. We’re making sure Lithuania keeps up. Together we’ll organize tournaments, events, and educational campaigns.
#3
We Build Community
Only together can we create an environment where poker is respected, accessible, and understood. Shared experiences, discussions, and joint projects make us stronger.
Supports us
Known community members
Vladas Tamašauskas
The Lithuanian Poker Players Association is a major step forward in improving conditions for everyone who plays. I believe it will help change the entrenched misconceptions surrounding our beloved game.
Ričardas Vymeris "Svaras"
I’m often called the “father of Lithuanian poker” because I’ve been playing this game for more than 40 years. Poker is a sport that requires patience, focus, psychological resilience, and physical endurance. Its popularity is growing and will continue to grow, because it is the only sport in the world where a newcomer can defeat a professional right away.
Dominykas Mikolaitis
From a financial perspective, poker is very similar to stock trading or investing—activities that involve risk, but where outcomes are determined by skill, knowledge, and sometimes luck. From a technical standpoint, it is a highly complex game—much more difficult than chess. It is incorrect to equate it with casino gambling.
Modestas Kryžanauskas
Contrary to what many people think, poker is a strategic game that develops analytical thinking and is popular all over the world. I’m very pleased that the Lithuanian Poker Players Association has been established, bringing together a large part of the Lithuanian poker community. I believe this will help change the outdated perception of this game.
Mantas Bagočius
I welcome this initiative, as I believe it will bring greater clarity both for players themselves and for public institutions.
Gytis Lažauninkas
I support the organization’s work because it seems to be the only way to change the current situation in Lithuania. I’m glad that there are people willing to take the initiative.
Want to make a difference? Join now Free of charge.
The data of the association members are confidential and protected by the Law on the Legal Protection of Personal Data of the Republic of Lithuania and the principle of freedom of association. No member may be persecuted for belonging to the association. This is ensured by the legal acts regulating the activities of associations.