Latvia advances gambling reform with age and play limits

Latvia’s Budget and Finance Committee has endorsed amendments to the Gambling and Lotteries Law, moving a long-delayed reform package toward its first parliamentary reading. The proposed legislation includes raising the minimum gambling age from 18 to 21 for land-based and online activities, though lottery participation would remain permitted at 18.

Key regulatory measures include mandatory closures for gaming venues between 6am and 9am, with the exception of betting and totalisator services. Online operators would be restricted from allowing customers to gamble for more than 21 hours within any 24-hour period. The reform also introduces a common player verification system using smartcards to track playing time and financial activity to identify potential addiction risks.

Additional requirements involve expanding visitor registration and increasing the mandatory retention period for security camera footage from seven to 30 days. The industry has raised concerns regarding these changes; the licensed gambling association warns that increasing the minimum number of machines required per hall could lead to the closure of approximately 30 venues, risking 240 jobs and an estimated €4.46 million in annual tax revenue.