Latvia Moves to Raise Gambling Age to 21 in Major Reform Package

Latvia is on the verge of a significant shift in its gambling regulatory landscape. On October 21, 2026, the nation’s Budget and Finance Committee gave its principle endorsement to a legislative package that has been stalled for over two years. Originally referred to the committee by parliament on September 26, 2024, the bill now moves forward to the 15th Saeima, which will determine whether to finalize, amend, or discard the proposed safeguards.

The reform package is comprehensive, targeting both retail and digital sectors to enhance player protection. A cornerstone of the proposal is raising the minimum gambling age from 18 to 21. Furthermore, under-18s would be barred from purchasing retail lottery tickets, aligning the physical market with the existing 18-year threshold for online lotteries. These measures reflect a growing political consensus on the need to protect young adults from potential gambling-related harm.

Numbers and facts

The proposed legislation introduces strict temporal boundaries for gambling activities. Retail sites would be subject to a mandatory closure between 6:00 am and 9:00 am, with the exception of betting stakes. Online gambling faces even more specific restrictions: a cap of 21 hours of play within any 24-hour window. This limit applies regardless of whether the time is spent in one continuous session or split across multiple sessions. Industry data suggests this limit is rarely reached, with only five or six individuals hitting the cap annually.

Economically, the stakes are high. The licensed online market in Latvia generated an estimated 170 million euros last year, while the illegal market is believed to be worth around 62 million euros. However, the industry association warns of negative consequences. For instance, the bill seeks to raise the minimum number of gaming machines in a hall from 20 to 25. This change alone could force the closure of roughly 30 halls, putting 240 jobs at risk and cutting annual tax revenue by approximately 4.46 million euros.

Background

Aiva Vīksna, chair of the Budget and Finance Committee, acknowledged that the legislation has become somewhat dated since work began in 2019. Despite this, she advocated for continuing the process.

"The proposal has become dated, but lawmakers should improve it instead of restarting the process." - Aiva Vīksna, Chair of the Budget and Finance Committee

Beyond age and time limits, the bill mandates a personalized tracking system for all players. Operators must record play duration, deposits, and winnings using a personalized card or equivalent digital system. If monitoring suggests a risk of addiction, the operator is expected to intervene and restrict further play. While the Latvian Chamber of Commerce and Industry supports personalized risk monitoring, it remains opposed to the 21-hour cap and the higher machine minimums.

Why it matters for German players

For players in Germany, these developments in Latvia serve as a reminder of the diverse regulatory approaches within the EU. While Latvia considers raising the gambling age to 21, Germany maintains the limit at 18 under the Interstate Treaty on Gambling 2021 (GlüStV 2021). However, the Latvian focus on individual monitoring and time limits echoes the strict controls already in place in Germany via the LUGAS system. German players are already accustomed to a 1,000 euro monthly deposit limit and a 1 euro stake limit per spin on virtual slots, measures that are arguably more restrictive than the proposed Latvian time caps.

What it means for GGL-licensed casinos

Casinos licensed by the German regulator (GGL) already operate under some of the world's strictest transparency requirements. The Latvian proposal to extend video retention from seven to 30 days and standardize signage is consistent with the trend toward high-visibility regulation. For GGL-licensed operators, the Latvian situation highlights the importance of balancing player protection with market competitiveness. If regulations become too burdensome, there is a legitimate fear that players will migrate to the unregulated market—a concern shared by both Latvian and German industry experts.