Gambling in this Northern European country is supervised by the Lotteries and Gambling Supervisory Inspection. Casino games, poker, bingo and betting are all legal, and several lottery games are available to residents. The only form of gambling that is still not legal online is fantasy betting.
Gambling has a long history in Latvia. Before 1998 it was only partly legal, even though the first official casino opened its doors in 1991. Full legalization followed in 1998, and lawmakers have kept refining the framework since then, which eventually brought online gambling into the regulated market.
A Single License Type
Latvia does not split gambling licenses into separate types: one license covers all activity. There are still several points to plan for, which the sections below explain.
Advantages of the Latvian Framework
Latvian law allows practically every form of gambling, online gambling included, so a licensed operator can offer casino games, poker and sports betting. The legal framework is detailed, which makes the market well regulated.
That level of detail also makes the license harder to obtain. We help operators prepare and file their Latvian application and set up compliant operations, taking care of the technical groundwork so you can concentrate on the business and reach a decision sooner.
Who Can Apply
Capital companies registered in Latvia can apply, as can foreign shareholders whose capital does not exceed 49%. This restriction does not apply to investors from EEA or EU countries.
Applicants must supply the full set of paperwork and be eligible for the permit. The eligibility conditions include:
- You have not been declared incapacitated under the procedure set by law.
- You are not a criminal offender or a suspect.
- No criminal proceedings against you for an intentional offence have been terminated on non-rehabilitative grounds.
These conditions apply mainly to the casino manager, and the Inspection may refuse a license if they are not met.
License Fees
| Fee | Amount |
|---|---|
| First-time gambling license | €427,000 |
| First-time license for online gambling only (via electronic communication services) | €200,000 |
| License re-registration | €37,000 |
| Additional re-registration fee per casino | €30,000 |
| Additional re-registration fee per bingo hall or gaming hall | €4,500 |
| Additional re-registration fee per location offering betting | €2,000 |
The additional re-registration fees apply only if you run land-based venues in Latvia.
Annual fees for tables and machines
- €28,080 per roulette table
- €28,080 per casino table for card and dice games
- €5,172 per slot machine
Gambling Taxes
- 15% of game proceeds for phone gambling, betting and wagering
- 10% for organizing bingo
- 10% of income for gambling via telecommunication, which in practice means online gambling
Application Documents
The Inspection expects the following paperwork:
- A land registry extract for the premises of the gambling venue (land-based businesses only)
- A detailed floor plan of the casino, gaming hall or bingo hall
- A development plan for the coming year covering gambling operations, the number of tables, machines and employees, and expected revenue and expenditure
- A municipal permit to open a casino, gaming hall or bingo hall in that municipality
- Key details of the manager of the gambling venue, such as first and last name and personal identification number
- A statement certifying that the venue layout meets all regulatory requirements
Online-Only or Land-Based?
The cost gap between the two models is large. An online-only operator pays €200,000 for its first license, then the 10% tax on income and the renewal fees. A land-based operator starts at €427,000 and adds per-venue re-registration fees, annual fees for every table and slot machine, and venue paperwork such as floor plans and municipal permits.
How We Help
- Eligibility review: checking the company and shareholder structure, including the 49% rule for foreign capital, and the conditions that apply to the manager.
- Application documents: preparing the development plan and the other paperwork the Inspection expects, and filing it with you.
- Compliance and launch: configuring the AML, KYC and responsible gambling tools in our casino platform and connecting game content and payment methods.
Keeping the License
The license must be renewed once a year, and taxes need close attention, especially for land-based venues. An online-only casino pays the 10% tax plus the license renewal fees.
Need help with a Latvian application? Get in touch or email sales@igamingsoftwaresolutions.com.
