Riga, October 25, 2026. The Budget and Finance Committee of the Saeima, Latvia's Parliament, endorsed a reform on October 21 that would raise the minimum gambling age from 18 to 21, restrict online gambling to 21 hours within any 24-hour period, and impose new technological and operational requirements on casinos and betting operators.
The initiative, originally submitted on September 26, 2024, amends the Gambling and Lotteries Law. The committee, chaired by Aiva Vīksna, agreed to transfer further consideration to the 15th Saeima, without establishing an implementation date. Casinos and gaming halls would be required to close between 6:00 a.m. and 9:00 a.m., with exemptions for certain betting activities. Additionally, the minimum number of slot machines per venue would increase from 20 to 25, representing a 25% increase.
Andris Kulbergs
Operators would have to introduce personalized player cards or equivalent technologies to identify players, record their activity, and detect problematic gambling behavior. Online activity would be monitored across licenses to prevent users from circumventing time limits by switching platforms.
The reform would expand visitor registration requirements, extend video surveillance footage retention from seven to 30 days, modify building facades and exterior advertising, and require food and beverage areas to be separated from gaming floors.
Baiba Šmite-Roķe
Finance Minister Māris Kučinskis oversees sector policy under the government led by Andris Kulbergs. Since April 1, 2026, the former gambling supervisory authority has been integrated into the State Revenue Service (VID), headed by Baiba Šmite-Roķe, through a restructuring that transferred 21 positions.
Latvia already increased online gambling taxes from 12% to 15% and betting taxes from 15% to 18% in January. Annual tax rates now reach €8,628 per slot machine and €46,920 per gaming table. The Latvian Chamber of Commerce and Industry has challenged the operational restrictions, warning that they could drive players toward illegal platforms. The next legislature must debate and vote on the amendments before any implementation.
