Lotteries and Gambling Supervisory Inspection Latvia

Online casinos in Latvia that have been issued with a license by the IAUI are legal. Anyone in Latvia who is aged 18 or over can take part in games at online casinos or purchase tickets in a lottery. Initially, only the brick-and-mortar casinos were able to obtain this license.

However, as more and more online gambling sites came into existence, the remit of the IAUI expanded to cover internet-based gambling. It is essential for any organization that wants to qualify for the license that they ensure that they are entirely prepared for the application process.

This is because any online casino that fails to meet the qualifying criteria will find that they are then blacklisted, and their services will not be available to Latvian residents. It has been possible for people in Latvia to take part in online gambling since 2003, but the licenses for companies to operate online services in the country have only been in place since 2017.

The aims of the IAUI with regard to online gambling in Latvia include ensuring that gambling is safe for those who take part. They are also tasked with making sure that companies are able to meet the legal requirements of the licenses, including ensuring that they have enough money to operate and that there are no concerns about their working practices.

They also have the responsibility for making sure that consumers are aware of the risks of gambling and that licensed online casinos are able to provide appropriate support.

The first step for any organization within or outside Latvia that wishes to operate an online gambling site for Latvian citizens is to contact the IAUI directly. The information needed for applying for a license will be provided along with guidance to help organizations ensure that they are compliant with the current legislation.

The criteria will cover essential factors such as good financial operations and support services for those who may gamble to excess. All documents submitted to support an application are reviewed and investigated by the regulatory authority before the license is granted.

A detailed list of the online casinos that have already obtained the license can be found on the IAUI website. Most of the online casinos are based in Latvia, but there are several companies that offer gambling services but are based in other countries. These also have the relevant license, and details are published on the IAUI website.