Latvia Jurisdiction profile

Located in Northern Europe, this Baltic state is one where most forms of gambling are legal and regularly enjoyed by locals and visitors. A regulatory body is in place to oversee the industry, with several activities allowed to take place. The gambling industry is based on the Gambling and Lotteries Law 2006, and the legislation includes all the details that help the industry function properly.

Changes have been made over the years to legislation to shore up the overall industry. In 2011, the government developed a few proposals concerning licensing fees, taxation, age restrictions, and regulators' oversight.

Amendments were made to gambling laws in 2013 to reflect the proposals. Not long after, officials in Latvia decided to meet with authorities in France to find ways of working together to ensure player protection.

In 1998, the Lotteries and Gambling Supervisory Inspection of the Republic of Latvia was created. This body is in charge of supervising the gambling industry. The Ministry of France is the overseer of the regulator.

There are several departments within the regulatory group, each having its own duty to uphold. The Control Department is in charge of securing legal compliance for lottery and gambling services. The Legal Department focuses on laws, statutes, and regulations. Legal officials also work on documentation for those who offer licensed services or review documents for companies filing applications for licensing.

The overseer must ensure that gambling is safe and secure. Only trusted companies should be approved for licensing and continually supervised to ensure compliance. Operators must follow all local laws and requirements on a regulatory and technical scale.

Applicants for licensing in Latvia have 90 days to wait for approval. The inspection process can take up to three months to complete, and officials must approve or refuse to license. When it comes to renewing licensing, a company must submit a request and have 30 days to hear back from officials.

Local gambling regulators work hard to create a quality environment for players. Officials within the regulatory body and the government team up to create a safe market. Strict measures are in place to stop players from accessing illegal sites. This includes providing access only to platforms licensed in Latvia.

Foreign website gambling is not allowed. Latvia has a blacklist filled with prohibited sites that players cannot access. Local internet providers are encouraged to report incidents of patrons trying to access illegal sites. The government will take action on a case-by-case basis.

Latvian banks can also not process payments via offshore online casino sites. Then ensures that players are not taken advantage of by sites that are not regulated. With so many counterpoints working together to stop illegal gambling, the country has a good handle on its industry as a whole.

Regulators, gaming operations licensed in Latvia, and the government seem to be working together to ensure a quality market for residents with the proper protections in place.