The Daugavpils City Council has enacted binding regulations outlining prohibited gambling zones within the city limits.
The municipality prohibits gambling establishments within 150 meters of public institutions, financial organizations, schools, and residential areas.
While the new rules pertain to future gaming initiatives, they nevertheless impact existing gambling establishments. Per Constitutional Court rulings, these establishments are mandated to cease operations within five years. The court established this timeline to enable entrepreneurs to explore new business opportunities.
The council also clarifies its intentions to restrict and not prohibit gambling within the city limits, unlike past unsuccessful bans in Riga and Kekava. This is required by law to balance the interests of business and citizens; the hall will be closed only after five years so that the entrepreneur can restructure his business and not suffer so deeply.
Marina Dimitrijeva Deputy Head of the council's legal department
Daugavpils City Council initially regulated gambling in 2013, capping establishments at nine, and has since implemented additional measures tightening gambling regulations in the district.
