Latvia Committee Endorses Gambling Age Increase to 21 and Operational Limits
Latvia’s committee backed raising the gambling age to 21, morning venue closures, a 21-hour online cap, and enhanced verification systems. The new parliament must now review the updated 2024 bill. Industry warns of 30 venue closures, 240 job losses, and €4.46M tax revenue drop, with offshore migration risks.
SCCG Take — Operators should model compliance costs against projected closures and offshore leakage, while regulators must test whether real-time monitoring delivers measurable harm reduction.
Latvia is advancing amendments to the Gambling and Lotteries Law after the Saeima’s Budget and Finance Committee supported the proposals on October 21. The measures would raise the minimum gambling age, impose mandatory closures for gaming venues, and cap online play time. World Casino News reports that the incoming 15th Saeima, which convenes on November 3, will decide whether to proceed with the legislation, originally submitted in 2024 and now in need of updates to match current market conditions.
The changes reflect a push for tighter player safeguards following the April 2026 transfer of oversight from the Lottery and Gambling Supervision Inspectorate to the State Revenue Service. That restructuring integrated gambling regulation with tax administration. Recent duty increases accompanied the shift.
Scope of the Proposed Amendments
The core updates would lift the legal gambling age from 18 to 21 for both land-based and online activities, while leaving lottery participation at 18. Gaming establishments would close between 6am and 9am, though betting and totalisator services are exempt. Online operators must prevent customers from gambling more than 21 hours in any 24-hour period, counting time across sessions.
A common player verification system using personalised smartcards would track playing time and financial activity to flag harmful behaviour. Online businesses would submit real-time data to a central supervisory system. Visitor registration requirements would extend beyond casinos, and security camera recording retention would rise from seven to 30 days. The minimum number of slot machines per gaming hall would increase from 20 to 25, with uniform rules on exterior appearance and signage.
Industry Warnings on Closures and Offshore Migration
Latvia’s licensed gambling association estimates the machine minimum could force approximately 30 of the country’s 162 establishments to close, affecting 240 jobs and reducing annual gambling tax revenue by €4.46 million. The illegal online market already generates around €62 million compared with approximately €170 million from licensed operators. Additional restrictions risk pushing players toward unlicensed offshore sites, the association argues.
The Latvian Chamber of Commerce and Industry backs individual risk-monitoring but opposes the online time cap and extra data obligations. Committee chair Aiva Vīksna noted that several provisions require reconsideration because the bill no longer aligns with industry changes. Interactive gambling tax has risen from 12% to 15%, betting duty from 15% to 18%, annual slot machine duties from €6,204 to €7,440, and table game duties from €33,696 to €40,440.
The incoming parliament faces a clear choice on whether these targeted protections justify the documented economic trade-offs.
Reporting: World Casino News
Generated by SCCG’s automated editorial system from published source reporting. SCCG Management holds editorial responsibility.
Gaming, betting and prediction markets — the desk’s read, every weekday.
Subscribe →