Gambling reform in Latvia would raise minimum age and cap online hours

The Saeima Budget and Finance Committee approved on 26 October 2026 amendments to the Gambling and Lotteries Law that would raise the minimum gambling age from 18 to 21 and limit online play to 21 hours in any 24-hour period. The committee recommended the bill proceed to first reading in Parliament; the final decision rests with the 15th Saeima, which takes office on 3 November 2026. By Miguel Sandoval, Corresponsal de regulación.

Key proposals approved by the committee

The legislative package, originally submitted in 2024, includes several operational and supervisory measures that the committee has recommended for parliamentary reading. The main provisions are:

• Raise the minimum age for land-based and online gambling from 18 to 21 years; participation in lotteries would remain permitted from 18 years.

• Impose mandatory closure periods for gaming premises between 06:00 and 09:00; betting and totalizator services would be exempt from the closure.

• Limit online play to a maximum of 21 hours per customer in any 24-hour period, accumulable across multiple sessions.

• Implement a centralized player verification system using personalized cards or analogous technology to monitor playing time and financial behaviour.

• Require [online operators](/casino) to supply real-time data to a central supervisory platform.

• Extend visitor registration obligations beyond casinos and increase the retention of CCTV recordings from 7 to 30 days.

• Raise the minimum number of slot machines per venue from 20 to 25 and standardize the appearance and signage of premises.

Regulatory context and institutional changes

The legislative package already received cabinet approval in 2024, but several planned effective dates have passed without implementation. In April 2026, the Inspectorate for Supervision of Lotteries and Gambling of Latvia was dissolved, and its supervisory functions were transferred to the State Revenue Service. In parallel, Latvia increased the sector's tax burden: the tax on interactive gambling rose from 12% to 15%, and the levy on bets and combined bets increased from 15% to 18%.

Lawmakers promoting the reform have acknowledged that the 2024 text may require updates to reflect market developments before any eventual approval and implementation. The committee's amendments do not set a target effective date.

Economic impact according to the industry

The Latvian Licensed Gambling Association has quantified the possible adverse effects on operators and jobs. The association estimates that the higher minimum machine requirement could force the closure of around 30 gaming venues of the 162 currently operating. That reduction would affect 240 jobs and, by its calculations, would reduce annual gambling tax revenue by €4.46 million.

The association also said that stricter restrictions could displace activity to unauthorised sites. Its estimate places the illegal online gambling market at approximately €62 million in revenue, compared with roughly €170 million in the licensed market.

The Latvian Chamber of Commerce and Industry questioned the online hours cap and the new reporting obligations, arguing that the operational requirements pose practical and economic problems for sector entrepreneurs.

Regional comparisons and precedents

Several countries in the region and the European Union already apply a 21-year age limit for some products: Lithuania and Estonia require 21 for casinos, while Belgium raised the minimum age to 21 in 2024. Similar proposals were debated in Romania and Bulgaria in 2026. Greece also maintains 21 as the minimum age in certain cases.

Supervisory mechanisms and technical controls

The bill foresees a centralized register that would use personalized smart cards or equivalent technology to verify identity and monitor time and spend per customer on specified products. The stated goal in the text is to identify risk patterns and enable the imposition of restrictions when monitoring detects signs of possible addiction.

Online operators would be required to transmit data in real time to a central supervisory platform, while land-based venues would see extended visitor registration requirements and a 30-day retention period for security footage.[/regulation](/regulation)

Next parliamentary steps

The Budget and Finance Committee recommended first reading, but further processing will depend on the agenda and amendments the 15th Saeima presents from 3 November 2026. MPs will decide which sections to update, retain or withdraw before any final vote.

"The committee's recommendation is to take the bill to first reading," the parliamentary file stated, also noting the need to review updated market aspects.

The Latvian Licensed Gambling Association warned that the changes could cause venue closures and job losses, citing figures of 30 venues, 240 jobs and €4.46 million in lost tax revenue.