Regulatory AuthorityLotteries and Gambling Supervisory Inspection of Latvia
License CostVaries
Regulation by Activity Type
Casinos
Regulated
Online Casinos
Regulated
Betting
Regulated
Online Betting
Regulated
Lotteries
Regulated
Poker
Regulated
Highlights
Latvia is raising the legal gambling age from 18 to 21 as part of new regulatory reforms.
Personalized smart cards will be required for all players to track activity and identify addiction risks.
Land-based gambling venues must limit operations to 6 a.m. to 9 p.m.; online gambling is capped at 21 hours per day.
Operators must obtain a national license to offer both land-based and online gambling services.
Amendments require uniform and less conspicuous gambling venue facades to reduce social impact.
Lotteries will have a minimum participation age of 18, which was previously unrestricted.
Regulatory changes are focused on promoting transparency, social responsibility, and harm minimization.
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Legislation
Primary Legislation
Gambling in Latvia is governed by a comprehensive legal framework established to ensure the regulation, supervision, and control of all gambling activities within the country. The primary legislation currently in force includes the following key laws and regulatory acts:
Law on Gambling and Lotteries – This is the core legislative act that sets out the legal basis for organizing, operating, and supervising gambling and lottery activities in Latvia. It defines the types of gambling allowed, the general requirements for operators, and the rules for consumer protection and responsible gambling.
Cabinet of Ministers Regulations – Supplementary regulations issued by the Cabinet of Ministers provide detailed provisions for the implementation of the Law on Gambling and Lotteries. These regulations cover technical standards, operational procedures, and additional requirements for both land-based and online gambling.
Amendments to Gambling Legislation – Recent and pending amendments to the primary law introduce stricter measures aimed at enhancing player protection and responsible gambling. These include raising the legal gambling age, introducing personalized player identification systems, and imposing uniform standards for gambling venue appearance and operating hours.
The legal framework is designed to promote transparency, social responsibility, and the minimization of gambling-related harm, while ensuring that all gambling activities are conducted in accordance with Latvian law.
Regulatory Authority
The oversight and enforcement of gambling laws in Latvia are entrusted to a central regulatory authority:
Lotteries and Gambling Supervisory Inspection (Izložu un azartspēļu uzraudzības inspekcija) – This is the main governmental body responsible for supervising the organization of gambling and lotteries in Latvia. The authority ensures compliance with all relevant laws and regulations, monitors operator activities, and enforces measures to protect players and prevent illegal gambling.
Key responsibilities include:
Issuing and revoking permissions for gambling and lottery activities
Monitoring compliance with legal and regulatory requirements
Implementing responsible gambling measures and consumer protection standards
Cooperating with other state institutions to combat illegal gambling and related offenses
The regulatory authority operates under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Finance and plays a central role in maintaining the integrity and legality of the gambling sector in Latvia.
License Types
Types of Gambling Licenses in Latvia
The Latvian Lotteries and Gambling Supervisory Inspection (Izložu un azartspēļu uzraudzības inspekcija) issues separate licenses for different gambling activities. The main types of licenses are:
Games of chance (including casinos, slot halls, and bingo)
Lotteries
Totalizators and betting (sports betting, horse racing betting)
Skill games
Each type of gambling activity requires its own specific license. Operators must apply for the relevant license depending on the nature of their business.
Application Process and Eligibility
Only joint stock companies registered in Latvia are eligible to apply for a gambling license.
The company must have a minimum share capital of EUR 1,400,000.
Latvian shareholders must own more than 51% of the company’s shares.
The application must be submitted to the Lotteries and Gambling Supervisory Inspection.
Local authorities must first grant permission for the operation of a specific gambling site, which is then reviewed and confirmed by the national Inspectorate.
The company and its key persons must demonstrate a proper reputation, financial stability, and a clear origin of funds. Applicants must not have criminal convictions or be legally incapacitated.
Duration and Renewal of Licenses
Gambling licenses in Latvia are issued for an unlimited period.
Despite being unlimited, licenses must be re-confirmed by the Inspectorate annually to ensure ongoing compliance with regulatory requirements.
Renewal involves a review of the operator’s continued compliance with all legal and financial obligations.
Licensing Costs and Financial Requirements
The minimum share capital required for a company applying for a gambling license is EUR 1,400,000.
There are additional fees for registering and certifying each slot machine, gaming table, and software used in gambling operations. Each device or program must be registered in the official register and assigned a unique identifier by the Inspectorate, for which a separate fee is charged.
Operators must demonstrate sufficient financial resources to cover operational and regulatory obligations.
Key Requirements for Obtaining and Maintaining a License
The company must be a joint stock company registered in Latvia, with majority Latvian ownership.
All gambling equipment and software must be certified and registered with the Inspectorate.
Operators must maintain a good reputation, with no criminal convictions among key personnel.
The origin of all financial resources must be clearly documented and legitimate.
Ongoing compliance with technical, safety, and consumer protection standards is mandatory.
Annual confirmation by the Inspectorate is required to maintain the license.
Summary Table: Latvian Gambling Licensing System
License Type
Eligible Entity
Share Capital
Ownership Requirement
Duration
Annual Confirmation
Key Fees
Games of Chance
Latvian Joint Stock Company
EUR 1,400,000
51%+ Latvian Shareholders
Unlimited
Yes
Device/software registration fees
Lotteries
Latvian Joint Stock Company
EUR 1,400,000
51%+ Latvian Shareholders
Unlimited
Yes
Device/software registration fees
Totalizators & Betting
Latvian Joint Stock Company
EUR 1,400,000
51%+ Latvian Shareholders
Unlimited
Yes
Device/software registration fees
Skill Games
Latvian Joint Stock Company
EUR 1,400,000
51%+ Latvian Shareholders
Unlimited
Yes
Device/software registration fees
Gambling Tax
Tax Rates for Gambling Operators in Latvia
Type of Gambling
Tax Base
Tax Rate / Amount
Land-based Slot Machines
Per Machine, Per Month
EUR 6,264 per machine annually (EUR 522 per month)
Land-based Table Games
Per Table, Per Month
EUR 28,080 per table annually (EUR 2,340 per month)
Bingo (Land-based)
Per Game
EUR 2,160 per game annually (EUR 180 per month)
Online Gambling (Casino, Betting, Bingo)
Gross Gaming Revenue (GGR)
10% of GGR
Lotteries
Gross Ticket Sales
10% of ticket sales
Basis for Taxation
Land-based gambling (slot machines, table games, bingo) is taxed on a fixed annual or monthly fee per device or game.
Online gambling and lotteries are taxed based on Gross Gaming Revenue (GGR) or gross ticket sales, respectively.
Tax Reporting and Payment Requirements
Operators must file regular tax returns with the State Revenue Service of Latvia.
For land-based gambling, taxes are typically paid monthly in advance, based on the number of devices or games operated.
For online gambling and lotteries, operators must calculate and pay taxes monthly, based on actual GGR or ticket sales for the reporting period.
All tax payments must be made in euros to the designated government accounts.
Operators are required to maintain detailed records of all transactions, bets, and payouts for audit and compliance purposes.
Tax Incentives, Exemptions, and Special Provisions
There are no significant tax incentives or exemptions for gambling operators in Latvia.
All licensed operators are subject to the same tax rates and reporting requirements, regardless of ownership or location within Latvia.
Failure to comply with tax obligations may result in fines, suspension, or revocation of the gambling license.
Prohibited Individuals
Age Restrictions and Identification Requirements
The minimum legal age for participating in gambling activities in Latvia is being raised from 18 to 21 years. This change aims to better protect young people from gambling-related harm.
For lotteries, the minimum participation age is set at 18 years.
Players will be required to use personalized smart cards to access gambling venues and services. These cards are intended to track player activity and help identify signs of gambling addiction.
Strict identification checks are mandatory to verify age and identity before allowing access to gambling services.
Prohibited Activities and Game Restrictions
There are restrictions on the types of gambling activities that can be offered, with specific limitations on where and how certain games may be provided.
In the capital city of Riga, local regulations are being introduced to ban most gambling halls, allowing gambling only in a few designated areas. Gambling is prohibited in municipal properties, neighborhood centers, cultural monuments and their protective zones, and other sensitive locations as specified in the city’s spatial plan.
There are also strict operating hours for gambling activities: land-based gambling is restricted to between 6 a.m. and 9 p.m., and online gambling is limited to 21 hours within a 24-hour period.
Advertising and Marketing Limitations
Gambling advertising and marketing must adhere to regulations designed to prevent targeting minors and vulnerable groups.
The appearance of gambling venues is regulated; flashy and overly conspicuous facades are prohibited to reduce the appeal of gambling, particularly among young people.
Promotional activities that could encourage excessive or irresponsible gambling are restricted.
Responsible Gambling Requirements and Player Protection Measures
Personalized smart cards are used to monitor player behavior and support early detection of problematic gambling patterns.
Operators are required to implement strict time limits on gambling participation, both for land-based and online gambling, to discourage prolonged play and reduce addiction risks.
There are enhanced requirements for self-exclusion and other responsible gambling tools, enabling players to voluntarily restrict their own access to gambling services.
Operators must provide clear information about the risks associated with gambling and offer resources for problem gambling support.
Geographic and Location Restrictions
In Riga, most gambling venues are banned except in a few small, designated areas. Gambling is not allowed in municipal buildings, neighborhood centers, cultural heritage sites, and their protective zones.
These geographic restrictions are designed to limit the visibility and accessibility of gambling, especially in residential and culturally significant areas.
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Timeline
Year/Date
Event
1994
Latvia implements its first Gambling Act, establishing the initial legal framework for regulating gambling activities.
1995
The Lotteries and Gambling Supervisory Inspection (LGSI) is established as the national authority to oversee and regulate gambling and lotteries.
2006
The Law on Gambling and Lotteries is passed, setting comprehensive rules for the organization, licensing, and supervision of gambling and lottery activities in Latvia.
2014
Significant amendments are introduced to strengthen regulation, including measures for combating illegal online gambling and enhancing player protection.
2020
Further updates are made to address the growing online gambling sector, including stricter controls and enhanced technical requirements for gambling software and equipment.
2021
The Lotteries and Gambling Supervisory Inspection expands its mandate to include increased consumer protection and social risk reduction related to gambling.
Requirements
Software Certification and Technical Standards
All gambling software and gaming systems used by operators must undergo independent testing and certification to ensure compliance with Latvian technical standards. Certification must cover random number generators (RNGs), game fairness, payout percentages, and system security.
Only certified and approved software may be used for both land-based and online gambling operations. Any software updates or changes must be re-certified before deployment.
Technical systems must provide reliable, real-time data transmission to the regulator for monitoring purposes, including player activity logs and financial transactions.
Operators are required to implement robust technical measures to prevent unauthorized access, manipulation, or tampering with gaming software and hardware.
Data Protection, Privacy Measures, and Server Location
Operators must ensure that all personal and financial data of players is stored and processed in accordance with the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and Latvian data protection laws.
Technical infrastructure must include secure encryption protocols for data transmission and storage, protecting player information from breaches or unauthorized access.
Gambling servers hosting game data, player accounts, and transaction records must be located within the European Economic Area (EEA) or in another jurisdiction approved by Latvian authorities, ensuring regulatory oversight and data security.
Operators must implement access controls, audit trails, and regular vulnerability assessments to maintain data integrity and confidentiality.
Anti-Money Laundering (AML) and Know Your Customer (KYC) Procedures
Operators are required to establish and maintain comprehensive AML procedures, including automated systems to detect and report suspicious transactions in real time.
Technical systems must support mandatory KYC verification before allowing players to deposit, wager, or withdraw funds. This includes identity verification, age checks, and ongoing monitoring of player activity for risk indicators.
Operators must integrate with national and international databases to screen for politically exposed persons (PEPs), sanctions, and self-excluded individuals.
Transaction monitoring tools must be able to flag unusual betting patterns, large or rapid deposits/withdrawals, and other red flags for manual review and reporting to the Financial Intelligence Unit.
Financial Reporting, Auditing Standards, and Record-Keeping
Operators must maintain comprehensive electronic records of all gaming transactions, player accounts, and financial flows for a period specified by Latvian law, typically at least five years.
Technical systems must be capable of generating detailed, standardized reports for regulatory review, including real-time financial statements, player balances, and transaction logs.
Annual independent audits of technical and financial systems are mandatory. Audit trails must be tamper-proof and accessible to regulators upon request.
Operators are required to submit regular financial and operational reports electronically to the regulator, using secure and standardized formats as specified by Latvian authorities.
Responsible Gambling Tools and Technical Implementation
Operators must implement technical tools to support responsible gambling, including the ability for players to set deposit, loss, session, and time limits directly within their accounts.
Personalized smart cards are required for player identification and tracking in land-based venues, enabling monitoring of gambling behavior and enforcement of self-exclusion and time limits.
Systems must allow for immediate self-exclusion requests and integrate with the national self-exclusion register, ensuring that excluded individuals cannot access gambling services.
Operators must display real-time information to players about their gambling activity, including time spent, amounts wagered, and losses incurred.
Technical systems must enforce mandatory breaks and session timeouts, particularly for online gambling, and restrict access during regulated hours as specified by Latvian law.
Gambling regulations are subject to change. The information provided on this page was accurate at the time of publication, but may not reflect the current regulatory landscape. Always consult official sources for the most up-to-date information before making any gambling-related decisions.
