Latvia’s government is looking into tightening gambling regulations. There has been a proposal for changes to the Gambling and Lotteries Law by introducing stricter age limits, limitations on operating hours and new measures to identify players at risk of gambling addiction.
On Wednesday, October 21, the Saeima’s Budget and Finance Committee announced its support for the proposals in principle, which has essentially paved the way for further parliamentary consideration. However, the reforms have not yet been finalised, and no implementation date has been confirmed.
The package is expected to be reviewed by the 15th Saeima, which will determine whether the proposals proceed and what changes may be required before their official adoption.
Plans for Stricter Age and Gambling Time Limits
If passed into law, the minimum age for gambling across Latvia would be increased from 18 to 21. The legislation would also introduce an age restriction for lottery participation, which would prevent people under 18 from buying lottery products.
Meanwhile, land-based gambling locations would be required to close between 6 am and 9 am. The bill also suggests restricting Latvia online casinos to a maximum of 21 hours per day, whether through one continuous session or several separate sessions.
According to the Ministry of Finance, the time restrictions would help prevent prolonged gambling participation and potentially reduce gambling-related harm.
Another aspect of the proposal would boost the maximum number of gaming machines in gambling halls from the current 20 to 25. With this measure, the government seeks to eliminate smaller gambling venues and reduce the availability of gambling across Latvia.
The amendments would also introduce consistent requirements for gambling premises’ exteriors, signs, and banners. The rules would specify the information operators could display on their buildings and the extent of permitted signage.
New Player Monitoring and Registration Requirements
Furthermore, the tabled changes would instruct casino operators and interactive lottery platforms to implement new systems for monitoring and controlling gambling-related risks.
The new framework would be able to identify users who may be at risk of developing gambling issues and prevent those considered ‘at risk’ from gambling. There will also be personalised smartcards, which would improve player identification and support the detection of potential gambling addiction.
The legislation would also allow the Cabinet of Ministers to instruct gambling operators to register visitors when they visit gambling premises. The objective behind the measure is to reduce risks associated with money laundering, terrorist financing and the financing of proliferation.
Committee chair Aiva Vīksna commented that the legislation would be passed to the 15th Saeima with a recommendation that it be significantly updated during the following readings, should parliamentary consideration continue.
She also highlighted the need to reflect modern market developments, particularly by strengthening efforts to combat illegal interactive gambling.
In the meantime, the Latvian Chamber of Commerce and Industry has supported individual risk monitoring. However, it did have objections to several of the proposed measures, including the higher minimum number of gaming machines, online gambling time limits and additional data requirements.
Reforms Follow Changes to Gambling Supervision
Latvia’s proposed changes to the gambling rules come at a time of a wider reform to the regulatory gambling model.
Earlier this year, the Lottery and Gambling Supervision Inspectorate was unified with the State Revenue Service, which ended its role as a standalone regulator. Afterwards, the SRS established separate divisions responsible for licensing and compliance, as well as remote and on-site assessments.
The Finance Ministry believes that the consolidation should help reduce duplication and improve supervision while online gambling accounts for an increasing share of the total market.
Finance Minister Arvils Ašeradens announced the restructuring in September 2025, as well as plans to increase gambling taxes from January 2026.
The changes included raising the tax rate on digital gambling from 12% to 15% and increasing duties on betting from 15% to 18%. Annual duties on gaming machines were also scheduled to rise from €6,204 to €7,440, while duties on roulette, card and dice tables were set to increase from €33,696 to €40,440.
New Parliament to Determine the Next Steps
The latest gambling reforms are advancing amid political changes in Latvia, following the collapse of former prime minister Evika Siliņa’s government, now led by the centre-right New Unity party.
The new cabinet will be tasked with determining whether the proposed amendments should be passed and whether additional changes are necessary before the legislation can be adopted into law.
Under Siliņa’s government, the Saeima had been tasked with concluding the gambling reform process by 2026, with a revised regulatory framework envisaged for 2027. However, it remains to be seen whether the new political leadership will maintain that timetable or seek further revisions.
The next stage will require lawmakers to weigh the proposed player protection measures against concerns about market access, regulatory burdens and the potential growth of illegal gambling.
