Latvia consolidates gambling oversight by merging regulatory bodies

(AsiaGameHub) –   Latvia has consolidated gambling tax collection and regulatory oversight into a single government agency, aiming to make supervision of the local industry more efficient.

The Inspectorate for Supervision of Gambling and Lotteries, formerly the standalone body for licensing and compliance, has been dissolved.

Its duties are now incorporated into the State Revenue Service. According to the Ministry of Finance, this restructuring was needed to create a more organized framework for a costly system.

Authorities viewed the old model, where two separate entities enforced rules for the same industry, as wasteful.

To enhance oversight, the State Revenue Service, which previously managed only tax matters, has established two new internal departments.

The first will manage licensing and compliance, and the second will conduct remote and physical inspections for technical and financial control.

The Finance Ministry stated that centralizing these functions will improve coordination and cut red tape. This move is seen as Latvia building a market foundation designed to minimize regulatory hurdles, especially as online gambling grows to become the dominant segment.

Elsewhere in the Baltics…

Latvia is not alone in reforming its gambling rules. In neighboring Lithuania, the government has proposed introducing a “ mandatory gambler’s card” .

If passed, this system would centrally monitor player activity. Finance Minister Kristupas Vaitiekūnas said it would provide precise data on user engagement, as the country prepares for a full regulatory overhaul in 2028.

The planned framework is expected to pave the way for a more open market, where the card could offer a comprehensive view of the sector.

However, concerns remain, particularly regarding data privacy.

Estonia, the third Baltic state, is also undertaking significant gambling reforms. Its goal is to implement a 4% gambling tax by 2028, which would be among Europe’s lowest—1% below the rate in Malta, a key international iGaming center.

These three developments indicate the Baltic region will be a focal point in the coming years, being home to major industry players like Entain (Enlabs), Fortuna Entertainment Group (TOPsport), and Olympic Entertainment Group (OlyBet).

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