Latvia is not just the home of mesmerizing forests, castles and beautiful landscapes, but to a number of online casinos as well. Find out how the Lotteries and Gambling Supervision Inspection of Latvia regulates these companies.
The Lotteries and Gambling Supervisory Inspection (IAUI) is the main regulating body in Latvia when it comes to all forms of gambling and lotteries. This regulatory body was established in 1998 and is tasked with handling all laws and regulations that concern gambling. While the Control Department oversees that all forms of gambling are lawful, the Legal Department of the government is the one that issues the licenses to operators. Online gambling and online casinos are completely legal and available to all Latvians aged 18 and older, as long as they are playing at licensed gaming sites approved by the Latvian authorities.
When the government had passed the law and formed the Lotteries and Gambling Supervision Inspection of Latvia, it was at first only tasked with issuing operating licenses to land-based casinos, which became legal in 1998. This enables all operators to apply for the appropriate license in order to operate legally in the country. Online casinos have to apply for the same operating license as land-based casinos and undergo the same strict procedure to become fully legal and licensed. If an online casino does not pass the procedure, it will be immediately blacklisted and made unavailable in the country.
Online gambling has been made completely legal in Latvia in 2003, and as of 2017, there are a number of online casinos operating from within the country and under a Latvian operating license. There are several popular companies that offer their services to Latvians.
To make sure they are playing at a safe and fair online casino, players need to inquire whether or not the online casino has an operating license issued by the Latvian government. This is by far the best and safest way to make sure you are not being tricked out of your money. However, Latvian players can also gamble at unlicensed sites, since the government has had difficulties banning all the sites that did not opt to apply for a license.
Latvia’s gambling laws allow for all companies that have been issued an operating license to open an online casino in the country and offer their services to both Latvians and foreigners.
Online gambling and online casinos have become legal in 2003.
Latvians are prohibited from playing at unlicensed online casinos. However, the government has trouble monitoring the internet and thus players can play at unlicensed online casinos as long as they haven’t been blocked by the ISPs in the country.
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