Published: 02.09.2020.
Updated: 08.05.2025.

The Ministry of Finance is the leading public administration authority responsible for forming the  policy on lotteries, gambling, and lotteries of goods and services.

The purpose of this policy is to protect the interests of society and players by promoting fair competition and responsible gaming practices.

Organization of Gambling 

In terms of gambling, Latvia permits gaming machine games, roulette, card games, dice games, wagers, betting, bingo, and games of chance via telephone. These activities can take place in casinos, gambling halls, bingo halls, and premises of betting or wagering shops.

Organization of Interactive Gambling 

In Latvia, it is allowed to organize interactive gambling which includes games like gaming machines, roulettes, card games, dice games, bingo, betting, wagers, and games of chance via the telephone. Additionally, accepting bets for participating in betting or wagering is also permitted.

To operate gambling in Latvia, a capital company registered in Latvia with a minimum share capital of 1,400,000 euros must act as the operator.

Organization of Lotteries and Interactive Lotteries

Lotteries are also allowed to be organized in Latvia, including money and goods lotteries, numerical lotteries, instant lotteries, state lotteries, local lotteries, and single local lotteries.

State lotteries and interactive lotteries must be organized by a capital company whose stocks are wholly owned by the state, such as Latvijas Loto – the State owned stock company Latvijas Loto.

Local lotteries must be organized by capital companies registered in the Enterprise Register of the Republic of Latvia. Associations, trade unions, and religious organizations are only allowed to organize single local lotteries for public events or public gatherings related to music, art, or sports.

Interactive lotteries

Interactive lotteries can also be organized on a nationwide scale using only electronic communication services to participate, and the lottery prizes are established by a special program. Latvijas Loto is permitted to organize interactive lotteries on their official website.

Provision of a Gambling Service

A merchant who establishes, maintains, and offers gambling services from within Latvia or through Latvia will be considered the provider of the service. This includes creating, managing, providing access to, or broadcasting online content necessary for gambling, except when the service is part of gambling activities run by a licensed gambling operator in Latvia.

Lottery of Goods and Services

A lottery of goods is a type of game in which players can participate by purchasing goods without having to pay a participation fee. The players must follow the rules of the lottery and perform the activities that are prescribed.

Similarly, a lottery of services is a game in which participants can participate by entering into a service agreement, without having to pay a participation fee. The players must follow the rules of the lottery and perform the activities that are prescribed.

In Latvia, a lottery operator can be either a merchant who produces, distributes, sells, or provides services, or a person who has been delegated the rights to operate the lottery by such a merchant.

Lotteries and Gambling Supervisory Inspection

A corresponding license from the Lotteries and Gambling Supervisory Inspection is required to organize gambling, interactive gambling, lotteries, interactive lotteries, and provide gambling services. A merchant who manufactures, distributes, sells, or provides services, or a lottery operator, must obtain a lottery permit from the same inspection to organize a lottery of goods or services. The Lotteries and Gambling Supervisory Inspection, which is under the subordination of the Ministry of Finance, is responsible for controlling and supervising the compliance with the legal framework in Latvia.

Developers of a legal framework -  Department of Tax Administration Policy and Shadow Economy Restriction Coordination

Legal regulations related to the policy of organizing lotteries, gambling, and lotteries of goods and services:

1. Law On Gambling and Lotteries

2. Law On Lotteries of Goods and Services