Latvia’s Budget and Finance Committee has introduced its long-awaited gambling reform package for its first parliamentary reading. This initiative aims to raise the minimum gambling age to 21 and establish stricter monitoring requirements for players. The committee backed the amendments in principle on October 21, more than two years after the bill, which has government support, was sent to them on September 26, 2024.
As of now, there is no set implementation date, and the current committee has decided to leave the remaining work to the next parliament, which will be tasked with deciding which provisions move forward through upcoming readings.
The proposed reforms encompass a variety of changes for gambling operators and players alike. The legal gambling age will increase from 18 to 21, and individuals under the age of 18 will be prohibited from purchasing retail lottery tickets. Additionally, gambling venues will be required to halt operations between 6 a.m. and 9 a.m.
Online gambling will be restricted to 21 hours within any 24-hour period, regardless of whether it is played in a single session or spread over multiple sessions. The regulations will also expand visitor registration requirements and extend video recording retention from seven days to a minimum of 30 days. In gaming halls, the minimum number of gaming machines required will be increased to between 20 and 25.
Latvia’s licensed gambling association has expressed concerns that this increase may result in approximately 30 venues closing, jeopardizing 240 jobs and reducing annual gambling tax revenue by about €4.46 million. The association has urged for revisions, emphasizing that gambling behavior and market dynamics have significantly changed since the legislative process began in 2019.
The proposed rules are not yet legal; they will only take effect once the legislation is passed. Industry representatives have proposed that targeted monitoring could provide a more balanced approach than broad restrictions impacting all players and operators. As the bill progresses to the incoming parliament, the future shape of Latvia's gambling regulations remains uncertain. The 15th Saeima will be responsible for deciding whether the proposed measures will advance, be substantially revised, or abandoned entirely.
