Latvia’s gambling crackdown could cost jobs and close venues
Industry groups warn that proposed player protection measures could have significant economic consequences for operators and local communities.
Key takeaways:
- Latvia’s Budget and Finance Committee has backed gambling law amendments and recommended them for a first parliamentary reading.
- The proposals would raise the gambling age from 18 to 21, while lotteries would remain available from age 18.
- Online gamblers could be limited to a maximum of 21 hours of play within any 24-hour period.
- Industry estimates suggest around 30 gaming halls could close, affecting 240 jobs and reducing gambling tax revenue by €4.46m.
- The incoming parliament must decide whether to advance the bill and amend provisions that lawmakers say may no longer reflect current market conditions.
Latvia is considering a package of gambling restrictions that would tighten age limits, impose new operating controls and expand player monitoring requirements across the sector. While policymakers argue the measures would strengthen consumer protection and oversight, the proposals have sparked concerns from industry groups that they could damage licensed operators and drive more activity towards unregulated gambling sites.
Latvia.- The Latvian parliament’s Budget and Finance Committee has backed proposed amendments to the country’s Gambling and Lotteries Law. The proposed changes would raise the minimum age for gambling from 18 to 21, introduce mandatory shutdown periods for gaming venues and place limits on the amount of time customers can spend gambling online.
The committee has recommended that the legislation proceed to its first reading in parliament. However, the decision on whether to continue the process will fall to the incoming 15th Saeima, which takes office on November 3.
The package remains a work in progress, with lawmakers acknowledging that elements of the bill, first submitted in 2024, may need updating to reflect developments in the gambling sector. No target date has yet been set for implementation.
Among the most significant proposals is an increase in the legal gambling age to 21 for both retail and online gambling, while lottery products would be available from the age of 18. Neighbouring Lithuania and Estonia already impose an age limit of 21 for casinos but not for other gambling products.
Similar proposals have been made this year in Romania and Bulgaria, while the minimum age for gambling in Belgium was increased to 21 in 2024. Greece also has 21 as the minimum age.
The proposed gambling reforms in Latvia would also require gaming venues to shut between 6am and 9am Betting and totalisator services would be exempt from this restriction. Meanwhile, online gambling operators would face new requirements limiting customers to a maximum of 21 hours of gambling during any 24-hour period. The cap would apply across multiple sessions rather than individual logins.
A centralised player verification system is also planned. Under the proposal, customers would use personalised smart cards or similar technology when accessing certain gambling products, enabling operators to monitor playing time and financial behaviour.
The system is designed to help identify potentially harmful gambling patterns and would allow restrictions to be imposed where monitoring suggests an elevated risk of addiction. Online operators would be required to provide real-time data to a central supervisory platform.
Other measures include extending visitor registration obligations beyond casinos and increasing the retention period for security camera recordings from seven days to 30 days.
According to reports, gambling halls would also be required to increase their minimum number of slot machines from 20 to 25, while new rules would standardise the appearance and signage of gambling premises.
The new proposals were approved by cabinet in 2024, but several proposed commencement dates have passed and other aspects of the regulatory framework have been modified. In April 2026, Latvia’s Lottery and Gambling Supervision Inspectorate was disbanded, with its oversight responsibilities absorbed by the State Revenue Service. The country has also increased taxes, with interactive gambling tax rising from 12 to 15 per cent and betting and wagering duty from 15 to 18 per cent.
The proposals have drawn criticism from parts of Latvia’s gambling industry, which argues that the measures could have unintended economic consequences. The Latvia Licensed Gambling Association estimates that increasing the minimum machine requirement could force around 30 of Latvia’s 162 gaming halls to close. It claims the change could put 240 jobs at risk and reduce annual gambling tax revenue by €4.46m.
Industry representatives have also warned that tighter restrictions may push more players towards unlicensed offshore gambling sites. The association estimates that Latvia’s illegal online gambling market generates roughly €62m in revenue, compared with around €170m for licensed operators.
The Latvian Chamber of Commerce and Industry is opposing the proposed cap on online gambling time and additional reporting obligations.
FAQs
What gambling age changes are being proposed in Latvia?
The legislation would increase the minimum gambling age from 18 to 21 for both land-based and online gambling. Lottery participation would remain available from age 18.
How would the proposed online gambling time limit work?
Customers would be restricted to a maximum of 21 hours of gambling within any 24-hour period. The limit would apply to total play time accumulated across multiple sessions.
What is the gambling industry’s main concern about the reforms?
Industry representatives argue that the restrictions could force around 30 gaming halls to close, affect 240 jobs, reduce tax revenues and encourage players to use unlicensed offshore gambling websites.
What happens next with Latvia’s gambling reform bill?
The Budget and Finance Committee has recommended the bill for its first reading, but the incoming parliament must decide whether to continue considering the legislation and what amendments should be made.
