Is Online Gambling Legal in Latvia?
Online gambling is legal and regulated under the Law on Gambling and Lotteries. Any operator offering services to local residents must hold a license issued by the national authority overseeing the industry. This includes gambling services offering games of chance, such as slots, table games, and live dealer titles.
Operators without this license are restricted from marketing or offering services within the country, though many still remain accessible. The IAUI actively monitors and blocks unauthorized services, but enforcement primarily affects payment access and domain availability rather than end-user penalties.
Gambling Regulators and Licensing in Latvia
Gambling activity is regulated by the Lotteries and Gambling Supervisory Inspection (IAUI), which operates under the Ministry of Finance. This agency is responsible for licensing operators, supervising their activities, and enforcing compliance with the law. Any company offering gaming services must apply for and maintain a national license.
Requirements for Operators
To receive a license, operators must meet specific criteria, including financial stability, technical security standards, and transparent ownership. They must:
- Be registered as a company within the country
- Host servers domestically or provide secure access to IAUI
- Meet financial reserve requirements
- Apply responsible gambling tools, such as spending controls and exclusion lists
- Undergo audits and system checks
Foreign-Licensed Gambling Providers
Platforms regulated in jurisdictions such as Malta or Curacao might still be accessible to users, but they are not approved by national authorities. These operators typically offer different terms and broader service availability, which is why some players might prefer them. However, since these brands operate outside local regulatory reach, the conditions of use differ.
For example, players may potentially face:
- Domain blocking
The IAUI maintains a blacklist of unauthorized websites, and internet service providers are required to restrict access to these domains - Payment interference
Regional banks and financial institutions may block transactions between users and gambling companies that do not hold a domestic license. - Lack of dispute resolution
Disputes or complaints involving internationally regulated platforms cannot be escalated to national regulatory authorities. Players are subject only to the policies and procedures of the brand and its foreign regulator.
