Obtaining a Gaming Licence in Latvia: Steps and Features

In 2017, there were 6 ground-based and 7 licensed internet casinos, 320 slot machine establishments, and 57 sweepstakes in the country. Most gaming institutions are located in Riga.

The income from Latvian gambling has been steadily developing. From 2014 to 2016, the revenue of digital casinos in the state increased by €13 million. However, this growth is not rapid since local gambling licensing has several pitfalls.

The specialists from Rosloto provide a detailed overview of the Latvian gaming sphere and certification procedure. We also help operators start unique gambling projects in promising regions.

From the 90s to the Present Day

While Latvia was part of the USSR, gaming was banned apart from the national lottery, as in other republics.

The first casinos in the country began to appear in 1991, after gaining independence. Wagering activity in Latvia was licensed, but until 1994 there was no established system. Several departments issued permits, and they did not enter the general register.

In 1994, the laws “On Gambling and Lotteries” and “On Lotteries and Gambling Fee and Tax” were passed. The norms fixed the system for paying taxes and the procedure for issuing licences.

In 1995, 2005, and 2014, several modifications were made to the legislation:

• tightening requirements for casinos;
• limiting the share of foreign companies;
• blocking unlicensed online entrepreneurs.

Today, receiving a gaming licenсe in Latvia is not tricky, but some nuances hinder the development of the market.

Licensing Procedure and Validity Periods

Bookmaker offices, casinos, and slot machine halls in Latvia get certification according to the same scheme, which includes 2 items:

• applying with the Latvian Lottery and Gambling Supervision Inspectorate;
• payment of a fee of €427,000.

In addition to the commission, supplementary permits may need to be paid.

The licence price is low compared to other offers, but its validity period is shorter than in many other countries — only a year. After this period, the entire procedure must be repeated.

Conditions for Obtaining Licences

There are a few rules for getting certified in Latvia, namely:

• When considering an application, regulatory authorities pay attention to the citizenship of the founders of the business. By law, at least 50% of the company's managerial staff must be residents of Latvia.
• When licensing web casinos and slot machines, government agencies check out the equipment, which may result in additional time and money costs.
• Another legislative innovation introduced in 2017 is a ban on casinos located in the historical centre of Riga, apart from 4- and 5-star hotels. Some entrepreneurs noted that this harmed their revenue.

The authorities of Latvia are loyal to gambling, but restrictions and legislative intricacies make it necessary to calculate all steps when entering this market carefully.

The Main Things about the Latvian Gambling Licence

The Baltic region is a promising area for modern operators of gaming businesses. Latvian rules are strict but allow almost all types of wagering activities. Although the licensing process has several restrictions, starting a project in the state is profitable and successful.

It is better to entrust professionals with creating digital platforms in a new country. A turnkey solution from Rosloto helps open an iGaming business in Latvia with minimal effort.

Our experts also offer other options, for instance:

• ready-made digital platforms;
• amusement content from famous manufacturers;
• administrative software;
• payment modules, and much more.

Experienced professionals from the Rosloto studio will make your Latvian iGaming business unique. Contact our manager for help with the creation of a lucrative project.