Best Online Casinos - Latvia

Is Online Gambling in Latvia Legal?

Latvian online gambling regulations are progressive. From a total ban on the games of chance up until 1993, when the country finally became free of the Soviet Union obligations, and till 2003, when the country passed its first gambling regulation, it’s been quickly developing the proper infrastructure. Now, the country is rapidly catching up with the tendencies of virtual casino content as it becomes a more and more desirable niche for many major industry players.

The result of progressive policies is the growth of the in-country industry revenues. The number currently exceeds 300 million Euros per year, as reported by the Lotteries and Gambling Supervisory Inspectorate. Out of this lump sum, 47% of the revenues are brought in by interactive gambling. More than 5,000 people are employed within the industry.

Overseeing the process of wagering on games of chance offline and online is the Lotteries and Gambling Supervisory Authority (LGSA). Thus far, the only two gambling activities that were not yet properly outlined by the laws are skill games and social gaming. The rest, including slot machines, sports betting, lotteries, and other games of chance, are clearly defined and regulated. Players must be 21 years or older to be allowed in online casinos.

The main piece of legal writing that LGSA relies on is the Gambling and Lotteries Law of 2006. The authority has quite an extensive set of rules and requirements that any local or international business needs to meet and complete if it is on a mission to receive a Latvian gambling license. Plus, with the laws being revised and updated regularly, so are the license requirements. 

For a company to get a license, it must submit paperwork proving its credibility, as well as agree to pay yearly gambling taxes of up to 10% on top of the hefty price of the license. In issuing its licenses, Latvia is friendly to international brands. Quite a few, including Paf,BetSafe, and OptiBet, successfully qualified for a permit from the Lotteries and Gambling Supervisory Authority.

But while international brands get more and more invested in the local gambling economy, the percentage of in-county licensed businesses is not as high as one would’ve wanted. It is the high taxes that are the reason for a relatively low percentage of local casinos. Many Latvian gambling providers say that there is simply not enough incentive to get into the business with taxes taking away that big a chunk of income. As a result, Latvia also currently battles a very high percentage of illegal gaming venues, online and offline. It is estimated that at least 30 million EUR per year go to unlicensed casinos.

Local providers that offer games of chance without a license fall under the online gambling ban. The full list is available on the official website of the Latvian licensor and LGSA is very strict and persistent when going after the black-market casinos. It also partners with local banks to chase and block any transactions to unlicensed places to bet and win, including those that are hosted online. Many call LGSA’s unapologetic battle with the lawbreakers a triumph over illegal gambling.

That being said, sometimes the overzealous chase may affect legitimate businesses, too. One bright example is the government of Riga pursuing the closure of several popular casinos downtown and more than 100 gambling venues outside of the city center and giving these businesses 5 years to clear the premises and terminate any activities. After months of bidding heads with the local authorities in search of justice, the casinos received a ruling in their favor from the Constitutional Court of Latvia. The judges ruled Riga’s decision to close the gambling venues was unconstitutional.

All things considered, looks like Latvia is on the right path to creating a safe, regulated, and thriving environment where players will have access to high-quality gaming, both online and offline.

The currency of Latvia, Euros, just so happens to be one of the two most popular currencies in online gaming. Out of our list of online casinos available in Latvia, 79% of cashiers accept this currency. This amounts to about 400 locations, including CasinoLuck and Next Casino.

Alternatively, we can recommend 100s of great lobbies that accept deposits in USD. Among those that are popular, we can mention Barbados, DasIst, and AHTI Games. Plus, cryptocurrency gambling is growing more and more popular, and so does the list of reputable platforms. The cornerstone of BTC gaming is, of course, BitSarz. Plus, there are also brands like 1xBet, Megapari, and 1xSlots.

When it comes to payment methods for deposits and withdrawals, online-based solutions are among the most popular in this country. Skrill payments lead, with up to 400 brands on our list offering it to players. To mention a few, LV Bet is worthy of attention.

Following Skrill in terms of popularity is PayPal. Available on up to 70 Latvia-friendly websites, including Music Hall and Vegas Country, it is a convenient way to both deposit and cash out. 

In addition to both methods being popular, supported in the reviewed country, and compatible with the best online operators, they also stand for speedy withdrawals. On average, receiving the wins will take less than a day.

Here are some other trustworthy sites known for their reliable banking:

1. Klondaika.lv Casino is very popular among Latvians. The platform has a curated game library with all the trending slots as well as a lot of new releases added to the online collection regularly.

   Advantages:

   • Latvian license
   • Low minimum withdrawal limits
   • Fast cashouts

   Disadvantages:

   • Unspecified maximum cashout limits
   • No cryptocurrencies

2. TonyBet Casino is known and appreciated for its convenient navigation and an incredibly handy version for mobile devices. This site clearly prioritizes accessible gaming on the go, and players love the initiative.

   Advantages:

   • Friendly to payments in crypto
   • Hefty welcome bonus
   • Loyalty rewards

   Disadvantages:

   • Bonuses not compatible with crypto payments
   • Fees apply to inactive accounts

3. Limitless Casino boasts years of experience and hundreds of positive comments from its registered members. The site also regularly updates its services to stay on top of the game.

   Advantages:

   • High cashout limits
   • Weekly promotions
   • Convenient mobile lobby

   Disadvantages:

   • A slightly small collection of slots 
   • No live games

Online casinos in Latvia and licensed to accept Latvia are usually multi-software lobbies with all the popular studios available to the players. 

The most popular type of content is slot machines. Net Entertainment, Playtech, IGT, Novomatic, and BetSoft are among the leaders of the popular vote for the reviewed country. They are also among the most popular and the most frequently seen suppliers across the platforms.

As far as the table games go, blackjack and roulette releases are at the top of the gambling preferences along with the live dealer content. Quite a few live dealer developers have their offices in Latvia, including Evolution Gaming and Fresh Deck Studios.