Text consolidated by Valsts valodas centrs (State Language Centre) with amending laws of: 8 June 2006 [shall come into force from 4 July 2006]; 14 April 2011 [shall come into force from 1 July 2011]; 12 September 2013 [shall come into force from 1 January 2014]; 30 November 2015 [shall come into force from 1 January 2016]; 23 November 2016 [shall come into force from 1 January 2017]. If a whole or part of a section has been amended, the date of the amending law appears in square brackets at the end of the section. If a whole section, paragraph or clause has been deleted, the date of the deletion appears in square brackets beside the deleted section, paragraph or clause.

The Saeima¹ has adopted and
the President has proclaimed the following Law:

On Gambling and Lotteries

Chapter I
General Provisions

Section 1. Terms Used in the Law

The following terms are used in this Law:

1) gambling - a game in which a natural person may acquire a prize fully or partially dependent on chance or previously unknown circumstances, by depositing a bet. A game on a gaming machine with a free game as the only prize, as well as a game on a gaming machine with a prize in kind (with the exception of cash prizes) up to 15 euros shall not be considered gambling;

2) gaming machine - an electronic, mechanical or electromechanical device designed for operating gambling which includes a specific programme or mechanism for determination of the amount of the prize;

3) gambling operator - a person who operates gambling in the Republic of Latvia or collects proceeds from such an activity;

4) bingo - gambling in which the player may acquire a prize by guessing random combinations of numbers from pre-set combinations of numbers and in which the amount of the prize depends on the drawn or guessed combination of numbers and the total sum of the deposited bets;

5) wager - gambling in which its player participates by paying a participation fee (a bet) and by forecasting the likelihood or unlikelihood of an event, and in which the amount of the prize depends on the accuracy of the player's forecast, the deposited bet and the coefficient for calculating the prize, specified in the rules of the game;

6) interactive gambling - gambling in which the player may participate by using electronic communication services;

6¹) interactive lottery - a lottery on a nationwide scale in which the player may participate by using electronic communication services;

7) lottery or raffle (hereinafter - the lottery) - a game which has the nature of an agreement of chance in which the prize acquired by the participant is fully or partially random;

8) lottery operator - a person who operates lotteries in the Republic of Latvia and collects proceeds from such an activity;

9) dice game - gambling in which the prize depends on the rolled dice number and the win rate defined by the game rules and which is not equipped with a special electronic programme for controlling the game and determining the amount of the prize;

10) card game - gambling in which the prize depends on the dealt cards (combination thereof) and the win rate defined by the game rules and which is not equipped with a special electronic programme for controlling the game and determining the amount of the prize;

11) card and dice game table - an industrially manufactured table with an equipped place for the dealer, betting boxes for the players and a playing surface;

12) prize - the amount of money paid out to the player by the gambling operator in the event of winning according to the gambling rules, as well as the amount of money or prize in kind paid out to the player by the lottery operator according to the lottery rules in the event of winning;

13) roulette (cylindrical game) - gambling in which the prize depends on the combination of numbers, symbols or other signs determined by means of a rotating device, as well as on the deposited bet and the win rate defined by the game rules and which is not equipped with a special electronic programme for controlling the game and determining the amount of the prize;

14) roulette, card and dice bonus game - a game derived directly from the gambling rules,which upon the onset of certain conditions ensures additional winning possibilities, excluding any lottery elements;

15) roulette table - a specially designed manufactured table with equipped places for the dealer and the players, a playing surface divided into game fields and a mechanically rotating cylinder with numbered fields of different colours;

16) gaming machine game - gambling in which the participant's chances of winning and the amount of the prize are determined by a gaming machine;

17) gaming machine bonus game - a chance specified in the game rules of gaming machines and gaming machines connected in a system to play the game free of charge upon the onset of certain conditions, but with the chance of winning, excluding any lottery elements;

18) betting- gambling in which its player participates by depositing a bet and forecasting the occurrence of a single event or multiple events, the possibility or impossibility of an event or anything that may turn out to be true or false and in which the prize depends on the total sum of the deposited bets, the win rate and the results of the forecast. It is prohibited to operate betting for events that have already taken place or events known to one of the betting parties or to both parties;

19) game of chance via the telephone - gambling in which the results partly or fully depend upon chance and in which the player participates in the game by answering a question or otherwise according to the game rules, using a telephone and paying an entry fee according to the premium rate tariff determined by the game operator.

[12 September 2013; 30 November 2015; 23 November 2016]

Section 2. Purpose and Scope of the Application of the Law

(1) The purpose of this Law is to ensure the protection of public interests and the rights of players.

(2) This Law prescribes the procedures for operating gambling and lotteries, governs the activities, responsibility and supervision of the gambling and lottery operator, and determines the rights, obligations and liability of the persons to whom the requirements of this Law apply.

(3) The rights and obligations of the gambling and lottery operators in preventing money laundering and terrorist financing are laid down in the Law On the Prevention of Money Laundering and Terrorism Financing.

[23 November 2016]

Section 3. Gambling and Lottery Operating Rights

(1) In the Republic of Latvia, gambling and lotteries may be operated only after receiving licences for the respective type of gambling or lotteries.

(2) Only the gambling, lotteries and bonus games referred to in this Law are permitted in the Republic of Latvia.

[30 November 2015]

Section 4. Registration and Certification of Gaming Machines and Gambling Equipment

(1) In the Republic of Latvia, it shall be permitted to install and operate registered and certified gaming machines and gambling equipment, as well as gaming machine game programmes.

(2) Registration is the registration of each gaming machine, gambling equipment and gaming machine game programme with the Lotteries and Gambling Supervision Inspection, assigning an identification number to each gaming machine and gambling equipment which remains the same during the entire operating period of the respective gaming machine and gambling equipment. The assignment of an identification number to a gaming machine and gambling equipment shall be a fee-based service provided by the Lotteries and Gambling Supervision Inspection. The amount of the fee for the service provided and the payment procedures shall be determined by the Cabinet.

(3) Certification is an investigation conducted to determine if a gaming machine, a model of gambling equipment and its game programme conform to the standards of the manufacturer and the requirements of the laws and regulations of the Republic of Latvia.

(4) Only laboratories which have acquired an accreditation certificate for testing and certification in the respective field, issued by an accreditation authority of the relevant Member State of the European Union, shall be authorised to certify the gaming machines, gambling equipment and gaming machine game programmes.

(5) [14 April 2011]

(6) The registration of gaming machines, gambling equipment and gaming machine game programmes shall be conducted in accordance with the procedures stipulated by the Cabinet.

(7) The Cabinet shall determine the information to be included in the certificate of conformity of a gaming machine, gambling equipment and the game programme of a gaming machine.

[8 June 2006; 14 April 2011; 23 November 2016]

Chapter II
Types and Rules of Gambling

Section 5. Types of Gambling

It shall be permitted to operate the following types of gambling in the Republic of Latvia:

1) gaming machine games;

2) roulette (cylindrical game);

3) card games;

4) dice games;

5) wagers;

6) betting;

7) bingo;

8) games of chance via telephone.

[30 November 2015]

Section 6. Rules of Gambling

(1) The rules of each type of gambling - gaming machine games, roulette (cylindrical game), card games, dice games, bingo, totalisator betting or interactive gambling - are a document prepared by the gambling operator and approved by the Lotteries and Gambling Supervision Inspection in which the course of the game has been described and additional information identifying the game has been provided.

(2) The following information shall be indicated in the rules of gambling:

1) the name, legal address and phone number of the gambling operator;

2) the title and type of gambling;

3) the gambling entry fee (bet);

4) the procedures by which a player may participate in the game;

5) the course of the game;

6) the conditions on which the participant shall receive his or her prize, and the amount of the prize [including the correlation of the prize to the entry fee (bet)];

7) the procedures for applying for the prize and handing out the prize;

8) the date by which the participant of gambling may apply for the prize;

9) the authority to which the participant may apply in case of any claims, as well as the procedures for considering the claims;

10) additional information which the gambling operator may consider relevant.

(3) The rules of gaming machine games shall include the title and type of the game, as well as the name of the manufacturer of the gaming machine and the game.

(4) In the bingo game in which a game card is used, the following information shall be indicated:

1) the name, legal address and phone number of the gambling operator;

2) the address where the prize is to be received;

3) the deadline for claiming the prize;

4) the price of the game card or the basic bet of the game;

5) the consecutive and series number of the game card.

(5) The rules of the bonus game shall include the following information:

1) the name, legal address and phone number of the bonus game operator;

2) the title of the bonus game;

3) the procedures by which a participant may take part in the bonus game;

4) the course the bonus game;

5) the conditions upon setting in of which the participant shall receive the prize, as well as the amount of the prize;

6) the procedures for applying for the prize and handing out the prize;

7) the date by which the participant of the bonus game may apply for the prize;

8) the authority to which the participant may apply in case of any claims, as well as the procedures for considering the claims;

9) additional information which the bonus game operator may consider relevant.

(6) The Lotteries and Gambling Supervision Inspection has the right to require additional information from the gambling operator in order to decide on the conformity of the gambling rules submitted for approval with the provisions of this Law.

(7) The Lotteries and Gambling Supervision Inspection shall approve the rules prepared by the gambling operator within 15 days from the date of the receipt thereof, except the cases referred to in Section 7 of this Law.

Section 7. Refusal to Approve the Rules of Gambling or a Bonus Game

The Lotteries and Gambling Supervision Inspection shall refuse to approve the rules of gambling or a bonus game, if at least one of the following conditions applies:

1) the information specified in this Law has not been included therein;

2) the rules provide for the operation of a type of gambling non-conforming to the requirements of this Law;

3) the rules provide that the prize may be received only when a definite number of participants take part in the game or when the total sales have reached a definite sum;

4) the rules provide for the operation of a pyramidal game in which the participation fee (bet) or invested values after some time give the possibility to obtain the prize to an indefinite range of persons.

Chapter III
Licence to Operate Gambling

Section 8. Requirements for the Gambling Operator

The licence to operate gambling (hereinafter - the licence) may be received by a gambling operator who meets the following criteria:

1) it is a capital company registered in the Republic of Latvia, the paid-up share capital of which is not less than 1,400,000 euros;

2) the share of foreign members or stockholders in the share capital of a capital company does not exceed 49 per cent. This requirement shall not apply to investors from the Member States of the European Union, the states of the European Economic Area and the Member States of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (residents), and also in cases in which different regulations for foreign investments are provided for by international agreements ratified by the Saeima.

[12 September 2013; 30 November 2015; 23 November 2016]

Section 9. Requirements Concerning the Officials of the Gambling Operator

(1) Not less than half of the members of the council, if one has been established, and of the board of directors of the gambling operator in the respective capital company, should be taxpayers (residents) of the Member States of the European Union, the states of the European Economic Area or the Member States of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development.

(2) In order to be appointed a member of the council and the board of directors and an auditor of the gambling operator, a person should meet the following criteria:

1) he or she must have impeccable reputation;

2) he or she should not be deprived of the right to conduct commercial activity.

(3) A person who has been sentenced for an intentional criminal offence or against whom criminal proceedings for an intentional criminal offence have been terminated for non-exonerating reasons, shall not be considered to be a person with impeccable reputation and may not be appointed as the official referred to in this Section.

(4) The capital company shall, upon its own initiative or upon a request from the Lotteries and Gambling Supervision Inspection, immediately remove from the office the official referred to in this Section, if the official does not comply with the requirements of this Section.

[30 November 2015]

Section 10. Licence to Operate Gambling

(1) The licence to operate gambling shall be issued by the Lotteries and Gambling Supervision Inspection.

(2) The licence to operate gambling shall be issued for an indefinite period of time and it must be re-registered each year with the Lotteries and Gambling Supervision Inspection.

(3) The licence to operate gambling shall give the right to its recipient to operate gambling specified in the licence in the whole territory of the Republic of Latvia.

Section 11. Application to Receive a Licence to Operate Gambling

To receive the licence to operate gambling, a capital company shall submit an application to the Lotteries and Gambling Supervision Inspection enclosing the following documents:

1) a copy of the financial statement (balance sheet and profit and loss statement) on its economic activity within the reference period for the past full quarters of the current year, if the capital company conducts commercial activity;

2) information on the debt obligations of the capital company, the amount and the deadlines for reimbursing the loan, on the date of submitting the application;

3) information on the origin of the money and property contributed to the share capital of the capital company, proven by transaction documents;

4) the development plan of the capital company for the next operating year indicating the planned types of gambling, the expected amount and allocation of revenue and expenditure, the amount and use of the profit;

5) [23 November 2016];

6) the confirmation that members of the council and the board of directors and the auditor of the capital company comply with the requirements laid down in Section 9 of this Law.

[23 November 2016]

Section 12. Additional Information to be Required

Upon reviewing the application on issuing the licence to operate gambling, the Lotteries and Gambling Supervision Inspection has the right to require additional information regarding the following:

1) the participants or shareholders of the capital company in order to consider their financial state and reputation;

2) members of the council and the board of directors, the auditor of the capital company, in order to consider their compliance with the requirements of Section 9 of this Law;

3) the debt obligations of the capital company;

4) the origin of the funds or property invested in the capital company's share capital;

5) the information indicated in the development plan for the next operating year.

Section 13. Time Period for Considering Applications

(1) The Lotteries and Gambling Supervision Inspection shall take a decision to issue or to refuse to issue the licence to operate gambling within 90 days from the date of receipt of the application.

(2) If additional information and documents are requested, the Lotteries and Gambling Supervision Inspection shall take a decision to issue or to refuse to issue the licence to operate gambling within 90 days from the date of receipt of the additional information and documents.

Section 14. Procedures for Considering Applications

(1) Upon considering the submitted application, the Lotteries and Gambling Supervision Inspection shall assess the conformity of the capital company with the provisions of this Law, the annual report of the capital company (the financial statement and the management report) on the previous reference year, a report by a sworn auditor, the compliance of the holders of shares and stocks, members of the council and the board of directors, and the auditors of the capital company with the provisions of this Law, as well as other submitted documents, the origin of the funds or property invested in the capital company's share capital and the economic substantiation of the development plan for the next operating year, and shall take a decision to issue or to refuse to issue the licence to operate gambling.

(2) Upon taking the decision to issue the licence to operate gambling, the Lotteries and Gambling Supervision Inspection shall determine the re-registration date of the licence for the next operating year.

(3) The applicant shall be notified of the decision by the Lotteries and Gambling Supervision Inspection within 10 days.

[23 November 2016]

Section 15. Refusal to Issue the Licence to Operate Gambling

The Lotteries and Gambling Supervision Inspection has the right to take a decision to refuse to issue the licence to operate gambling, if at least one of the following conditions applies:

1) there are major violations of the laws or regulations of the Cabinet in the activities of the capital company;

2) the capital company is indebted to the State or local government budget;

3) false information has been provided in the submitted documents;

4) the capital company does not conform to the requirements of this Law;

5) the owners of the shares and stock, the members of the council and the board of directors, and the auditors of the capital company do not comply with the requirements of this Law;

6) it finds that the funds or property invested in the share capital of the capital company has been acquired in unusual or suspicious transactions or there is no documentary evidence on the legal acquisition of these funds and property;

7) the submitted development plan for the next operating year does not correspond with the actual market situation and is economically unjustified;

8) the debt obligations of the capital company exceed the assets thereof or the capital company has been declared insolvent.

Section 16. Re-registration of the Licence to Operate Gambling

The gambling operator shall re-register the licence to operate gambling each year by the date indicated in the decision to issue the licence.

Section 17. Documents to be Submitted for Re-registration of the Licence to Operate Gambling

(1) The application and other documents for re-registration of the licence to operate gambling shall be submitted to the Lotteries and Gambling Supervision Inspection two months prior to the deadline for re-registration.

(2) The following documents shall be enclosed with the application for re-registration of the licence:

1) a copy of the financial statement (balance sheet and the profit and loss account) on its economic activity within the reference period for the past full quarters of the current year;

2) [23 November 2016];

3) [23 November 2016];

4) information on the debt obligations of the capital company, the amount and the deadlines for reimbursing the loan, on the date of submitting the application;

5) the development plan of the capital company for the next operating year, indicating the planned types of gambling, the projected number of gambling locations, gaming tables and gaming machines, the number of employees, the expected amount and allocation of revenue and expenditure.

[23 November 2016]

Section 18. Procedures for Deciding on Re-registration of the Licence to Operate Gambling

(1) Upon re-registration of the licence to operate gambling, the Lotteries and Gambling Supervision Inspection shall verify whether the gambling operator complies with the requirements of this Law for re-registering the licence.

(2) The re-registration of the licence to operate gambling shall be refused, if any of the conditions referred to in Section 15 of this Law applies, justifying the refusal to issue such a licence.

(3) The Lotteries and Gambling Supervision Inspection shall take a decision to re-register or to refuse to re-register the licence to operate gambling within 30 days from the date of receipt of the application. If additional information and documents are requested, the Lotteries and Gambling Supervision Inspection shall take a decision to re-register or to refuse to re-register the licence to operate gambling within 30 days from the date of receipt of the additional information and documents.

Section 19. Payment of the State Fee

(1) The Lotteries and Gambling Supervision Inspection shall issue the licence to operate gambling after the statutory State fee has been paid.

(2) After the decision to issue the licence to operate gambling has been notified, its recipient shall pay the statutory State fee for issuing the licence to operate gambling within 10 working days.

(3) The decision to re-register the licence to operate gambling shall give the applicant the right to continue the operation of gambling only after the statutory State fee has been paid.

[30 November 2015]

Chapter IV
Gambling Premises

Section 20. Gambling Premises

Gambling may be operated only in casinos, gambling halls, bingo halls, as well as on the premises of betting or wagering shops, if a corresponding gambling premises licence has been received.

Section 21. Casinos

(1) A casino is premises for operating gambling, marked in the building's technical inventory plan as a structurally separate isolated space or several interconnected spaces which are specially equipped for operating a gaming machine, roulette (cylindrical games), card and dice games with at least:

1) ten installed gaming tables, if the casino is located in Riga;

2) five installed gaming tables, if the casino is located outside Riga.

(2) It is prohibited to install and operate gaming tables of roulette (cylindrical game), card and dice games outside a casino.

(3) Any gambling equipment located in the casino should be owned by the capital company which has been granted the necessary gambling premises licence.

Section 22. Gambling Halls

(1) A gambling hall is premises for operating gambling, marked in the building's technical inventory plan as a structurally separate isolated space or several interconnected spaces, with at least 20 gaming machines installed and operated.

(2) Only those gaming machines owned or leased by the capital company which have been granted the necessary gambling premises licence, may be installed in the gambling hall.

Section 23. Bingo Halls

A bingo hall is premises for operating gambling, marked in the building's technical inventory plan as a structurally separate isolated space or several interconnected spaces in which bingo is operated.

Section 24. Premises for Installing Gaming Machines and Their Operation

(1) Gaming machines may be installed and operated only in casinos and gambling halls.

(2) Gaming machines may be operated only if they are interconnected in a single network of a gaming machine control and monitoring system, ensuring online data exchange with the Lotteries and Gambling Supervision Inspection. The implementation and maintenance procedures of the single gaming machine control and monitoring system, the requirements for connecting the gaming machines to the single gaming machine control and monitoring system, as well as the data to be included in the abovementioned system, and the procedures for exchanging data shall be determined by the Cabinet.

[30 November 2015 / The new wording of Paragraph two shall apply from 1 January 2019. See Paragraph 17 of Transitional Provisions]

Section 25. Premises for a Totaliser or a Betting Point

The premises for a betting or a wagering shop are the gambling premises marked in the building's technical inventory plan as a space or part of that space where bets for betting or wagering are accepted.

Section 26. Licence of a Casino, a Gambling Hall or a Bingo Hall

(1) The licence of a casino, a gambling hall or a bingo hall shall give the right to its holder to establish a casino, a gambling hall or a bingo hall at the address indicated in the licence, and the licence shall be issued to capital companies which have received the licence to operate the relevant type of gambling.

(2) In order to receive the licence of a casino, a gambling hall or a bingo hall, the gambling operator shall submit an application to the Lotteries and Gambling Supervision Inspection, enclosing:

1) a transcript from the land register division, confirming the proprietary rights of the applicant to the premises in which it has been planned to establish a casino, a gambling hall or a bingo hall, or documents (duplicates thereof) confirming the rights of the applicant to use the premises in which it has been planned to establish a casino, a gambling hall or a bingo hall, together with the corresponding transcript from the land register division. If the person who has signed the document confirming the right to use the premises is not the owner of the premises, the owner of the premises shall additionally submit a written confirmation of his or her consent to a casino, a gambling hall or a bingo hall being established on those premises;

2) the building floor plan where it has been planned to establish a casino, a gambling hall or a bingo hall, indicating the premises on which gambling will be operated;

3) the development plan for the next operating year of the particular casino, gambling hall or bingo hall, indicating the planned types of gambling, the number of the gaming tables and gaming machines, the number of employees, the expected amount and allocation of revenue and expenditure;

4) the permit of the local government to establish a casino, a gambling hall or a bingo hall and operate the relevant type of gambling on the particular premises, issued in accordance with this Law, unless it has been planned to establish a casino in the hotels of category IV [four stars (****)] (hereinafter - the four star hotel) or of category V [five stars (*****)] (hereinafter - the five star hotel);

5) information regarding the manager (administrator) of the relevant casino, gambling hall or bingo hall, specifying the given name, surname, personal identification number (if there is none - the title, number, issuing date and name of the issuing authority of the personal identification document);

6) a certificate confirming that the layout of the premises and facilities of the casino, gambling hall or bingo hall meet the requirements of the laws and regulations regarding public buildings and constructions which are in force, taking into account the number of people for whom they are intended.

(3) If it has been planned to establish a casino in a four or five star hotel, a copy of the certificate confirming the category of the hotel shall be attached to the application.

[30 November 2015]

Section 27. Premises Licence for a Totaliser or a Betting Point

(1) The betting or wagering shop premises licence shall be issued to capital companies which have received the licence to operate the relevant types of gambling. The betting or wagering shop premises licence shall give its holder the right to accept bets for participation in betting or wagering on the premises indicated in the licence.

(2) To receive a betting or a wagering shop premises licence, the gambling operator shall submit an application to the Lotteries and Gambling Supervision Inspection, enclosing:

1) a transcript from the land register division, confirming the proprietary rights of the applicant to the premises, where it has been planned to establish a betting or a wagering shop, or documents (duplicates thereof) confirming the rights of the applicant to use the premises on which it has been planned to establish a betting or a wagering shop, together with the relevant transcript from the land register division. If a person who has signed the document confirming the rights to use the premises is not the owner of the premises, the owner of the premises shall additionally submit a confirmation of his or her written consent to a betting or a wagering shop being established on those premises;

2) the building floor plan where it has been planned to establish a betting or a wagering shop indicating the premises on which gambling will be operated;

3) a permit from the local government to establish a betting or a wagering shop and operate the relevant type of gambling on the particular premises, issued in accordance with this Law;

4) the development plan of the particular betting or wagering shop for the next operating year, indicating the planned types of gambling, gambling equipment, the number of intended potential events, the number of employees, the expected amount and allocation of revenue and expenditure.

[30 November 2015]

Section 28. Granting the Gambling Premises Licence

The Lotteries and Gambling Supervision Inspection shall take a decision to grant or to refuse to grant the gambling premises licence within 30 days from the date of receipt of the application. If any additional information and documents are requested, the Lotteries and Gambling Supervision Inspection shall take a decision to grant or to refuse to grant the gambling premises licence within 30 days from the date of receipt of the additional information and documents.

Section 29. Person Responsible for the Gambling Premises

The manager (administrator) shall be the person responsible for the gambling premises of the casino, gambling hall or bingo hall who is responsible for the legality of the gambling process in the respective casino, gambling hall or bingo hall.

Section 30. Approval of the Person Responsible for the Gambling Premises

(1) Upon granting the casino, gambling hall or bingo hall licence, the Lotteries and Gambling Supervision Inspection shall approve the manager (administrator) of the respective casino, gambling hall or bingo hall.

(2) A person shall not be approved as a manager (administrator) of a casino, a gambling hall or a bingo hall, if at least one of the following conditions applies:

1) the respective person has been recognized incapacitated in accordance with the procedures laid down in the law;

2) the person is suspected, accused or convicted of a criminal offence;

3) criminal proceedings for an intentional criminal offence has been terminated against the person for non-exonerating reasons.

(3) The Lotteries and Gambling Supervision Inspection shall take a decision to approve or to refuse to approve the manager (administrator) of a casino, a gambling hall or a bingo hall within 30 days from the date of receipt of the application. If any additional information and documents are requested, the Lotteries and Gambling Supervision Inspection shall take a decision to approve or to refuse to approve the manager (administrator) of a casino, a gambling hall or a bingo hall within 30 days from the date of receipt of the additional information and documents.

(4) The operation of a casino, a gambling hall or a bingo hall is prohibited, if the Lotteries and Gambling Supervision Inspection has not approved its manager (administrator).

Section 31. Replacement of the Person Responsible for the Gambling Premises

(1) The gambling operator shall inform the Lotteries and Gambling Supervision Inspection regarding the appointment of a new manager (administrator) of the respective casino, gambling hall or bingo hall, as well as regarding the dismissal of the previous manager (administrator) within three working days.

(2) The Lotteries and Gambling Supervision Inspection shall take a decision to approve or to refuse to approve the manager (administrator) of a casino, a gambling hall or a bingo hall within 20 days after receipt of the corresponding notification.

(3) In the period of replacement of the manager (administrator) of the gambling premises, the prohibition specified in Section 30, Paragraph four of this Law is not applied.

Section 32. Re-registration of the Licence of a Casino, a Gambling Hall or a Bingo Hall

(1) The gambling operator shall re-register the casino, gambling hall or bingo hall licence annually by the date indicated in the decision to grant the respective casino, gambling hall or bingo hall licence.

(2) In order to re-register the casino, gambling hall or bingo hall licence, an application and a development plan for the next operating year of the particular gambling premises shall be submitted to the Lotteries and Gambling Supervision Inspection one month prior to the re-registration date.

(3) Upon re-registration of the casino, gambling hall or bingo hall licence, the Lotteries and Gambling Supervision Inspection shall verify whether the gambling operator complies with the legal requirements for re-registration of the licence.

(4) The re-registration of the casino, gambling hall or a bingo hall licence shall be refused, if any of the documents specified in Section 26, Paragraph two or three of this Law has ceased to be in effect and a new document replacing it has not been submitted to the Lotteries and Gambling Supervision Inspection.

(5) The Lotteries and Gambling Supervision Inspection shall take a decision to re-register or to refuse to re-register the casino, gambling hall or bingo hall licence within 30 days after the date of receipt of the application. If any additional information and documents are requested, the Lotteries and Gambling Supervision Inspection shall take a decision to re-register or to refuse to re-register the respective casino, gambling hall or bingo hall licence within 30 days from the date of receipt of the additional information and documents.

[30 November 2015]

Section 33. Re-registration of the Premises Licence of a Betting or a Wagering Shop

(1) The gambling operator shall re-register the premises licence of a betting or a wagering shop annually by the date indicated in the decision to grant the premises licence of a betting or a wagering shop.

(2) In order to re-register the premises licence of a betting or a wagering shop, an application and a development plan for the next operating year of the respective gambling premises shall be submitted to the Lotteries and Gambling Supervision Inspection one month prior to the end of the re-registration period.

(3) Upon re-registering the premises licence of a betting or a wagering shop, the Lotteries and Gambling Supervision Inspection shall verify whether the gambling operator complies with the legal requirements for re-registration of the licence.

(4) The re-registration of the premises licence of a betting or a wagering shop shall be refused, if any of the documents referred to in Section 27, Paragraph two of this Law has ceased to be in effect and a new document replacing it has not been submitted to the Lotteries and Gambling Supervision Inspection.

(5) The Lotteries and Gambling Supervision Inspection shall take the decision to re-register or to refuse to re-register the premises licence of the respective betting or wagering shop within 30 days from the date of receipt of the application. If any additional information and documents are requested, the Lotteries and Gambling Supervision Inspection shall take a decision to re-register or to refuse to re-register the premises licence of a betting or a wagering shop within 30 days from the date of receipt of the additional information and documents.

Section 34. Payment of the State Fee

(1) The Lotteries and Gambling Supervision Inspection shall grant the licence to a casino, a gambling hall, a bingo hall, a betting or a wagering shop after the statutory fee has been paid.

(2) The decision to re-register the licence of a casino, a gambling hall, a bingo hall, a betting or a wagering shop shall give them the right to continue operating gambling only after the statutory State fee has been paid.

[30 November 2015]

Chapter V
Rights and Obligations of Gambling Operators

Section 35. Rights of a Gambling Operator

To ensure the conformity with the requirements of laws and regulations, a gambling operator has the following rights:

1) to issue the internal rules of conduct to be observed by the visitors of the gambling premises;

2) to require that the visitors of the gambling premises present personal identification documents and in cases provided for in this Law to process the data of natural persons;

3) to contest and appeal against the decisions of the Lotteries and Gambling Supervision Inspection.

Section 36. General Obligations of a Gambling Operator

(1) A gambling operator shall be responsible for:

1) the lawfulness of the gambling process;

2) payment of the gambling tax and fee in accordance with the procedures and in the amount laid down in the law;

3) the expertise and professionalism of the staff involved;

4) upon request of a player to ensure on the gambling premises the availability of a copy of the rules of the respective type of gambling, approved by the Lotteries and Gambling Supervision Inspection.

(2) If a person is purchasing means for participation in the game (chips, tokens, etc.) or exchanging them for money, and the total amount is equivalent to or higher than 1,000 euros, the gambling operator shall record the personal data of this person, - his or her given name, surname and personal identification number, but if there is none - the title, number, issuing date and name of the issuing authority of the personal identification document. The gambling operator shall keep the abovementioned data on players and their transaction documents for at least five years.

(3) The gambling operator shall ensure the payout of the prize to the player, in conformity with the following conditions:

1) a prize that does not exceed 720 euros shall be paid out immediately;

2) a prize in the range from 721 euros to 14,300 euros shall be paid out within 24 hours;

3) a prize that exceeds 14,300 euros shall be paid out in accordance with the procedures approved of in the gambling rules not later than within 30 days and in not more than two payments;

4) upon request of a player, the prize may be paid out in cash or transferred to the bank account specified by the player.

(4) If any amendments have been made to the documents that constitute the grounds for receiving the licence to operate gambling or receiving the casino, gambling hall or bingo hall licences or betting or wagering shop licences, the gambling operator shall inform the Lotteries and Gambling Supervision Inspection in writing within five working days, but as regards the changes in the share capital of the capital company and in the composition of participants and the stockholders - within five working days after registration of these changes in the Enterprise Register of the Republic of Latvia.

[12 September 2013]

Section 37. Additional Obligations of Gambling Operators in Casinos, Gambling Halls and Bingo Halls

(1) A gambling operator to whom the casino, gambling hall or bingo hall licence has been issued, shall ensure the following during the working hours of the gambling premises:

1) permanent presence of an employee authorised to provide statutory information to the control authorities;

2) the maintenance of internal electricity supply networks corresponding with the regulations for supply and use of electricity and guaranteeing uninterrupted and continuous record-keeping of the gambling equipment;

3) denial of access to the premises to persons under 18 years of age;

4) continuous internal and external video surveillance of the gambling premises. The video recording shall be kept for at least seven days from the date when it was recorded;

5) security services provided by a licensed security capital company or a certified security guard bearing responsibility for public order and personal safety on the particular gambling premises;

6) a warning regarding the addictive nature of gambling. In casinos and gambling halls, a self-control test shall be placed in a prominent place and the possibility to receive it in writing, as well as to receive information regarding seeking help in case of gambling addiction shall be provided.

(2) The gambling operator has a duty to verify the age of the visitors of the respective casino, gambling hall or bingo hall, and in case of any doubt to require that they present a personal identification document. Upon request from an employee of the gambling operator, the visitors of the respective casino, gambling hall or bingo hall have a duty to prove their identity and age by presenting a personal identification document.

Section 38. Special Obligations of Gambling Operators as Regards the Operation of Gambling in Casinos

Upon operating gambling in casinos, the gambling operator shall ensure:

1) continuous real-time video recording of each gaming table, the casino entrance, the front desk and the cash desk during the casino's working hours. The video recording shall be kept for at least seven days from the date when it was recorded;

2) cash counting during the encashment process in the video surveillance area in a room separated from visitors;

3) the cash desk in a separate room;

4) at least two entrances - separately for the casino staff and the visitors;

5) registration of each casino visitor before he or she enters the gambling premises;

6) conformity with the requirements for personal data protection laid down in the law upon administration of the register of casino visitors.

Section 39. Registration of Casino Visitors

(1) The purpose of registration of casino visitors is to identify all casino visitors in order to avoid the visits of minors and to prevent money laundering and the financing of terrorism.

(2) Visitors of the casino shall be registered upon each visit by asking them to present their personal identification documents and entering the following information in the register of visitors:

1) the given name and surname of the visitor;

2) the personal identification number (if there is none - the title, number, issuing date and name of the issuing authority of the personal identification document);

3) the date and time when the person entered the gambling premises.

(3) In the event of a revisit, instead of producing a personal identification document, the casino visitor may produce a special casino visitor's card issued by the owner of the casino, clearly identifying the particular casino visitor.

(4) Prior to delivery of the information included in the casino's register of visitors to the Lotteries and Gambling Supervision Inspection, it shall be kept electronically, ensuring protection of this information against loss or damage, unauthorised access by third parties, and implementing a system that enables full recovery of the information in case of the loss thereof.

(5) The information included in the casino's register of visitors shall be summarised on a monthly basis and submitted to the Lotteries and Gambling Supervision Inspection which shall ensure its storage for five years.

(6) The procedures for registering casino visitors, for the storage, summarising and transfer of the information to be included in the register, as well as the categories of information recipients and other technical and organisational measures related to the casino's register of visitors and ensuring the protection of personal data shall be determined by the Cabinet.

[23 November 2016]

Chapter VI
Restrictions on the Operation of Gambling

Section 40. Restrictions on the Commercial Activity of a Gambling Operator

Upon prior written notification to the Lotteries and Gambling Supervision Inspection, a gambling operator may establish subsidiaries, invest in capital companies with foreign investment engaged in the operation and maintenance of lotteries and gambling.

Section 41. Restrictions on the Operation of Gambling

(1) It is prohibited for a gambling operator to operate gambling, if at least one of the following conditions applies:

1) the relevant licence has not been received;

2) the Lotteries and Gambling Supervision Inspection has not approved the rules of gambling or a bonus game;

3) the statutory State fee for receiving the licence to operate gambling and the gambling premises licence has not been paid;

4) after the deadline for re-registering the licence to operate gambling and the gambling premises licence, no decision has been made on re-registration of the licence or no statutory State fee for re-registration has been paid;

5) the licence received to operate gambling has been transferred to a third party;

6) persons under 18 years of age participate in gambling;

7) the total sum of a betting, a wagering and a bingo prize is less than 50 per cent of the total sum of the bids, the total sum of the gaming machine prize is less than 80 per cent of the total sum of the bids, the total sum of the prize from the games of chance by phone is less than 45 per cent of the total sum of the bids.

(2) It is prohibited to operate gambling in:

1) State institutions;

2) churches and places of worship;

3) healthcare and educational institutions;

4) pharmacies, post office departments or credit institutions;

5) public places during public events, except for betting or wagering;

6) areas that have been granted the status of a market in accordance with specific procedures;

7) shops, cultural institutions, railway stations, bus stations, airports, ports, with the exception of gambling halls, betting or wagering shops which are located on premises isolated by building structures and with a separate outside entrance;

8) bars and cafés, except for betting or wagering;

9) service hotels;

10) buildings with a common outside entrance for apartments and gambling premises.

(3) It is prohibited for the gambling operator to provide any type of loans or credits to the players.

(4) Within the meaning of Section 2284 of The Civil Law, any loan granted on the gambling premises shall be considered a loan deliberately provided for gambling.

(5) Outside the gambling premises, advertising gambling is prohibited. On the gambling premises, it shall be permitted to exhibit only the name of the gambling premises and the registered trademark of the gambling operator.

(6) It is prohibited to offer to play a gambling game free of charge, as a gift or a prize or compensation for the purchase of any goods or services.

[8 June 2006 / See Transitional Provisions]

Section 42. Rights of a Local Government to Regulate Gambling

(1) To obtain the licence referred to in Sections 26 and 27 of this Law to establish a casino, a gambling hall, a bingo hall, a betting or a wagering shop and to operate the relevant type of gambling on the particular premises, the gambling operator shall submit an application to the local government, enclosing:

1) a certified copy of the licence to operate gambling;

2) documents (copies thereof) attesting to the ownership of the premises on which it has been planned to establish a casino, a gambling hall, a bingo hall, a betting or a wagering shop, and the written consent of the owner of the premises to a casino, a gambling hall, a bingo hall, a betting or a wagering shop being established on these premises, or documents (copies thereof) proving the rights of the applicant to use the premises or the applicant's capacity to obtain the rights to use the premises on which it has been planned to establish a casino, a gambling hall, a bingo hall, a betting or a wagering shop, accompanied by documents (copies thereof) confirming the applicant's ownership rights to the premises. If the person who has signed the document attesting to the capacity to obtain the rights to use the premises is not the owner of these premises, the owner of the premises shall additionally submit a written confirmation of his or her consent to a casino, a gambling hall, a bingo hall, a betting or a wagering shop being established on those premises.

(2) After receiving the application referred to in Paragraph one of this Section, the local government shall assess the conformity of the gambling premises referred to in the application with the restrictions referred to in Section 41, Paragraph two of this Law. If the application specifies a place to which at least one of the restrictions referred to in Section 41, Paragraph two of this Law applies, the local government shall refuse to issue the permit.

(3) If it has been planned to operate gambling on the premises which are not subject to the restrictions referred to in Section 41, Paragraph two of this Law, the city or local government council shall decide on the permit to operate gambling on a case by case basis, if the operation of gambling on the particular premises does not create substantial impairment to the interests of the State and the residents of the respective administrative area. No permit from the local government shall be needed to establish a casino in a four- or five-star hotel.

(4) The local government shall issue the permit to establish a casino, a gambling hall, a bingo hall, a betting or a wagering shop and to operate the respective type of gambling on the specified premises for an indefinite period of time. The granted permit shall be terminated in the case provided for in Paragraph six of this Section in accordance with the procedures laid down in Paragraphs seven and eight.

(5) The local government shall take a decision to issue a permit to establish a casino, a gambling hall, a bingo hall, a betting or a wagering shop and to operate the relevant type of gambling on the particular premises, or to refuse to issue such a permit within 45 days from the date of receipt of the application.

(6) If the operation of gambling on the particular premises creates a substantial impairment to the interests of the State and the residents of the respective administrative area, the city or the local government council is entitled to terminate the permit to establish a casino, a gambling hall, a bingo hall, a betting or a wagering shop and to operate the respective type of gambling on the particular premises, by means of a reasoned decision.

(7) In the case referred to in Paragraph six of this Section, the permit to establish a casino, a gambling hall, a bingo hall, a betting or a wagering shop and to operate the respective types of gambling on the particular premises issued by the local government shall be terminated in five years from the date of the entry into effect of the respective decision of the city or local government council.

(8) The local government shall notify the decision referred to in Paragraph six of this Section to the gambling operator and the Lotteries and Gambling Supervision Inspection.

[8 June 2006; 30 November 2015]

Chapter VII
Operation of Gambling via Electronic Communication Services

Section 43. Operation of Gambling via Electronic Communication Services

The operation of gambling via electronic communication services means the operation of gambling in which the participants use or can use electronic communication services to perform an activity required for participation in such games.

Section 44. Types of Gambling Operated via Electronic Communication Services

(1) It shall be permitted to use electronic communication services to operate gaming machine games, roulette (cylindrical games), card games, dice game, bingo, betting, wagering and games of chance via the telephone (hereinafter - the interactive gambling).

(2) It shall be permitted to use electronic communication services to accept bets for participation in betting or wagering (hereinafter - the acceptance of bets).

[30 November 2015]

Section 45. Value of Winnings in Interactive Roulette (Cylindrical Game), Card or Dice Games

The total value of the prize in the interactive roulette (cylindrical game), card or dice games shall be not less than 80 per cent of the total sum of the deposited bets.

Section 46. Rights to Operate Interactive Gambling

(1) [30 November 2015]

(2) After receiving the necessary licence from the Lotteries and Gambling Supervision Inspection, it shall be permitted to operate interactive gambling and accept bets.

[30 November 2015]

Section 47. Application and Documents Required to Obtain a Licence to Operate Interactive Gambling

(1) In order to obtain a licence to operate interactive gambling [gaming machine games, roulette (cylindrical game), card or dice games, bingo, betting or wagering], the gambling operator shall submit an application to the Lotteries and Gambling Supervision Inspection, enclosing the following documents:

1) the rules of the particular gambling game;

2) a certificate attesting to an opened account or several accounts in a credit institution registered in the Republic of Latvia which will be used in mutual settlements with the players;

3) information on the programmes used to operate gambling;

4) opinion from an independent and internationally approved laboratory on the test results of the programme;

5) information on the deployment of the gambling equipment and on the security measures planned to prevent third party influence on the results of the operated gambling;

6) information on the planned personal data protection measures;

7) the web address to be used to operate gambling, if gambling is operated via the Internet;

8) information on the person responsible for gambling, indicating the given name, surname and personal identification number (if there is none - the title, number, issuing date and name of the issuing authority of the personal identification document).

(2) Information on the programmes used for operating interactive gambling and accepting bets via electronic communication services, the planned security and personal data protection measures shall be submitted in accordance with the procedures stipulated by the Cabinet.

(3) [23 November 2016]

(4) The Cabinet shall determine the information to be included in its conformity review of the interactive gambling programme, used to operate interactive gambling.

[23 November 2016]

Section 48. Procedures for Reviewing an Application for the Right to Operate Interactive Gambling

(1) The Lotteries and Gambling Supervision Inspection shall take a decision to issue or to refuse to issue the licence to operate interactive gambling within 60 days from the date of receipt of the application. If additional information and documents are requested, the Lotteries and Gambling Supervision Inspection shall take a decision to issue or to refuse to issue the licence to operate interactive gambling within 60 days from the date of receipt of the additional information and documents.

(2) The Lotteries and Gambling Supervision Inspection shall take a decision to issue or to refuse to issue the licence to accept bets via electronic communication services within 30 days from the date of receipt of the application. If additional information and documents are requested, the Lotteries and Gambling Supervision Inspection shall take the decision to issue or to refuse to issue the licence to accept bets via electronic communication services within 30 days from the date of receipt of the additional information and documents.

Section 49. Refusal to Issue the Licence to Operate Interactive Gambling

(1) The Lotteries and Gambling Supervision Inspection shall refuse to issue the licence to operate interactive gambling, if any of the facts referred to in Section 15 of this Law is established.

(2) In addition to Paragraph one of this Section, the Lotteries and Gambling Supervision Inspection shall refuse to issue the licence to operate interactive gambling if at least one of the following conditions applies:

1) the submitted gambling rules do not conform to the requirements of this Law;

2) it is stated in a report of an independent and internationally recognized laboratory that the programmes used to operate the game do not ensure conformity with the requirements for the total sum of the prize referred to in Section 45 of this Law or with other requirements of this Law;

3) the security measures planned by the applicant for preventing third party influence on the results of the operated gambling are inadequate;

4) an opinion from the competent State authority has been received, stating that the security measures planned by the applicant for protecting personal data and ensuring the safety of the game are inadequate.

Section 50. Licence to Operate Interactive Gambling

(1) The licence to operate interactive gambling and accept bets shall contain the following information:

1) the number, place and date of issue of the licence;

2) the name, registration number and legal address of the licensee;

3) the games that the licensee may operate, or the games in which the bets may be accepted via electronic communication services;

4) the web address to be used to operate games or accept bets, if gambling is operated via the Internet;

5) the telephone numbers to be used to operate the game, if the game is operated via the telephone.

Section 51. Person Responsible for Operating Interactive Gambling

(1) Upon granting the licence to operate interactive gambling or to accept bets, the Lotteries and Gambling Supervision Inspection shall approve the person responsible for ensuring that interactive gambling is operated or bets are accepted in accordance with the requirements of the laws and regulations (hereinafter also - the responsible person).

(2) The Lotteries and Gambling Supervision Inspection shall not approve the responsible person, if any of the conditions laid down in Section 30, Paragraph two of this Law applies.

(3) The Lotteries and Gambling Supervision Inspection shall take a decision to approve or to refuse to approve the responsible person within 30 days from the date of receipt of the application. If additional information and documents are requested, the Lotteries and Gambling Supervision Inspection shall take the decision to approve or to refuse to approve the responsible person within 30 days from the date of receipt of the additional information and documents.

(4) Operating interactive gambling or accepting bets via electronic communication services is prohibited, if the Lotteries and Gambling Supervision Inspection has not approved the responsible person.

(5) The lottery operator shall, within three working days, inform the Lotteries and Gambling Supervision Inspection regarding the appointment of a new responsible person and the dismissal of the previous one. The Lotteries and Gambling Supervision Inspection shall take a decision to approve or to refuse to approve the responsible person within 20 days from receipt of the corresponding notification. In this case, the prohibition referred to in Paragraph four of this Section shall not be applied.

Section 52. Withdrawal of the Licence to Operate Interactive Gambling

The Lotteries and Gambling Supervision Inspection has the right to withdraw the licence to operate interactive gambling, if any of the conditions laid down in Section 87 of this Law applies or if in mutual transactions with the players the gambling operator uses an account or accounts which have not been notified by him or her to the State Revenue Service or the Lotteries and Gambling Supervision Inspection.

Section 53. Requirements for Operating Interactive Gambling

(1) An operator of interactive gambling, as well as an operator of betting or wagering who accepts bets via electronic communication services shall ensure:

1) the registration of each player requiring his or her personal data, before the person is granted the right to participate in gambling;

2) the creation of a special game account for each player on the server of the gambling operator;

3) upon request of the player, the transfer of funds from the player's account to the account of the same credit institution from which the funds for betting were transferred;

4) unhindered access for the employees of the Lotteries and Gambling Supervision Inspection to the programme used to operate the game and to the accounting documents related to operating interactive gambling.

(2) The website used by the gambling operator for operating interactive gambling and accepting bets shall include the following information:

1) the name, legal address of the gambling operator and the number of the licence to operate gambling;

2) the games which the licensee may operate, or the games in which the bets may be accepted via electronic communication services;

3) the gambling rules or the web address where they are available;

4) a prohibition to participate in the game for persons under 18 years of age;

5) a warning that a person may become addicted to gambling.

(3) In mutual settlements between the operator of interactive gambling and the clients, it shall be permitted to use an account opened in a credit institution registered in the Republic of Latvia.

(4) The operator of interactive gambling shall not be permitted to transfer the prize to an account which has not been used to deposit the fee for making bets.

(5) The operator of interactive gambling shall submit the information on the location (specifying the country and the particular address) of the gambling equipment and on the planned security measures for preventing third party influence on the results of the operated gambling, to the Lotteries and Gambling Supervision Inspection.

(6) Not later than 15 days after the end of the reference quarter, the operator of interactive gambling, as well as the operator of betting or wagering who accepts bets via electronic communication services shall submit, in accordance with the procedures stipulated by the Cabinet to the State Revenue Service and the Lotteries and Gambling Supervision Inspection, a statement on the total sum of the bets paid in and the total sum of the prizes paid out within the reference quarter together with a statement from the credit institution on transactions performed during the reference quarter in the account used for mutual settlements with the players.

[30 November 2015; 23 November 2016]

Section 54. Protection of Individuals in Interactive Gambling

The Cabinet shall determine the procedures for registering the players and verifying their identity, as well as the minimum requirements for preventing the players addicted to interactive gambling from further participation in gambling.

Section 55. Receiving the Licence to Operate a Game of Chance via the Telephone

In order to receive a licence to operate a game of chance via the telephone, the gambling operator shall submit an application to the Lotteries and Gambling Supervision Inspection, enclosing:

1) the rules of the particular gambling game;

2) information on the programmes used for the game of chance via the telephone;

3) confirmation from the provider of the electronic communication services to be used for operating the game of chance via the telephone, on the safety of the relevant system;

4) information on the location of the equipment for operating the game of chance via the telephone and on the security measures planned to prevent third party influence on the results of the operated gambling;

5) information on the planned personal data protection measures;

6) the telephone numbers used for operating the game of chance via the telephone;

7) information on the person responsible for the game of chance via the telephone, specifying the given name, surname and personal identification number (if there is none - the title, number, issuing date and name of the issuing authority of the personal identification document).

Section 56. Obligations of the Operator of the Game of Chance via the Telephone

The operator of the game of chance via the telephone shall provide:

1) record keeping of the players;

2) registration of the winning players, requiring their personal data and verifying their identity;

3) unhindered access for the employees of the Lotteries and Gambling Supervision Inspection to the programme used for operating the game and to the accounting documents related to operating the game of chance via the telephone.

Chapter VIII
Types of Lotteries

Section 57. Money and Goods Lottery

In money and goods lotteries, as well as exclusively in money lotteries or exclusively in goods lotteries, the participants take part by purchasing tickets or paying a participation fee in some other way, and the lottery operator offers money, goods, securities, etc. as a prize.

Section 58. Numerical Lotteries

In numerical lotteries (lotto, toto, keno, sport lotto, numerical lotto), the prize is received as a result of guessing the lucky numbers, symbols or other characters or combinations of characters referred to in the rules of lottery, and the prize depends on the amount and sum of the deposited bets.

Section 59. Instant Lotteries

Instant lotteries are lotteries in which the participants may find out what prize they have won immediately after purchase of the lottery ticket.

Section 60. State Lotteries

(1) In the Republic of Latvia, the monopoly of operating State lotteries is owned by the State. In State lotteries, the tickets or coupons are distributed exclusively in the territory of the Republic of Latvia. The prize of the lottery shall be determined by conducting a public lottery.

(2) In State lotteries, the total sum of the value of lottery tickets for a single lottery shall not be lower than 140,000 euros.

(3) A lottery operated in the whole territory of the Republic of Latvia shall be deemed to be a lottery on a nationwide scale.

[12 September 2013]

Section 61. Local Lotteries

(1) In the local lotteries, the prizes are determined by conducting a public lottery, and they shall be operated exclusively in the territory of a particular city, district, municipality or parish. It is prohibited for one operator to operate simultaneously local lotteries in several cities, districts, municipalities or parish territories.

(2) In local lotteries, the total sum of the value of the lottery tickets in a single lottery shall not exceed 14,300 euros.

[12 September 2013]

Section 62. Single Local Lotteries

(1) In single local lotteries, the prizes shall be determined by conducting a public lottery operated during a public event and in the location where it is held.

(2) In a single local lottery, tickets may be distributed only during the respective public event and only in the location where it is held, and the total sum of the value of the lottery tickets shall not exceed 720 euros.

(3) In a single local lottery, no prizes of money are allowed.

[12 September 2013]

Chapter IX
Operation of Lotteries

Section 63. Rights to Operate Lotteries

(1) State lotteries shall be operated by a State capital company whose capital is wholly State-owned and whose stocks are not subject to alienation or privatisation, - the State owned stock company "Latvijas Loto".

(2) Local lotteries shall be operated by capital companies registered in the Enterprise Register of the Republic of Latvia, with a share capital of at least 14,300 euros.

(3) Associations, trade unions and religious organisations have the right to operate only single local lotteries, if these lotteries are held as public events or due to a public gathering for musical performances, shows of artistic value or sports events, and if an application has been submitted to the Lotteries and Gambling Supervision Inspection and a licence has been received in accordance with the procedures stipulated by the Cabinet.

[8 June 2006; 12 September 2013]

Section 64. Application for Receiving or Re-registering the Licence to Operate a Lottery

(1) In order to receive a licence to operate State and local numerical lotteries, instant lotteries and single local lotteries (instant lotteries), the lottery operator shall submit an application to the Lotteries and Gambling Supervision Inspection, enclosing:

1) the rules of the particular lottery;

2) the calculation of the expected revenue and expenditure;

3) information on the person responsible for the lottery, specifying his or her given name, surname and personal identification number (if there is none - the title, number, issuing date and name of the issuing authority of the personal identification document).

Section 65. Time Period for Considering Applications

(1) The Lotteries and Gambling Supervision Inspection shall take a decision to issue or to refuse to issue the licence to operate a lottery within 90 days from the date of receipt of the application. If additional information and documents are requested, the Lotteries and Gambling Supervision Inspection shall take the decision to issue or to refuse to issue the licence to operate a lottery within 90 days from the date of receipt of the additional information and documents.

(2) The Lotteries and Gambling Supervision Inspection shall take a decision to re-register or to refuse to re-register the licence to operate a lottery within 30 days from the date of receipt of the application. If additional information and documents are requested, the Lotteries and Gambling Supervision Inspection shall take the decision to re-register or to refuse to re-register the licence to operate a lottery within 30 days from the date of receipt of the additional information and documents.

Section 66. Refusal to Issue or Re-register the Licence to Operate a Lottery

The Lotteries and Gambling Supervision Inspection has the right take a decision to refuse to issue or re-register the licence to operate a lottery, if:

1) major violations of the laws or Cabinet regulations have been established in activities of the licence applicant;

2) the licence applicant has debt obligations to the State budget or to the local government budget;

3) false information has been provided in the submitted documents;

4) the share capital of the licence applicant does not conform to the requirements of this Law;

5) the information necessary to the Lotteries and Gambling Supervision Inspection has not been provided within 30 days after requesting it;

6) the information which has come to the knowledge of the Lotteries and Gambling Supervision Inspection indicates that the funds invested into the share capital of the capital company have been acquired in illegal transactions, or there is no documentary evidence of legal acquisition of these funds;

7) the submitted development plan for the next operating year does not correspond with the actual market situation and is economically unjustified;

8) the capital company has been declared insolvent.

Section 67. Person Responsible for the Lottery

(1) Upon issuing the licence to operate a lottery, the Lotteries and Gambling Supervision Inspection shall approve the person responsible for the legality of the particular lottery (hereinafter also - the responsible person).

(2) The Lotteries and Gambling Supervision Inspection shall not approve the person responsible for the lottery, if at least one of the following conditions applies:

1) the respective person has been recognized incapacitated in accordance with the procedures laid down in the law;

2) the person is suspected, accused or convicted of an intentional criminal offence;

3) criminal proceedings for an intentional criminal offence has been terminated against the person for non-exonerating reasons.

(3) The Lotteries and Gambling Supervision Inspection shall take a decision to approve or to refuse to approve the responsible person within 30 days from the date of receipt of the application. If additional information and documents are requested, the Lotteries and Gambling Supervision Inspection shall take the decision to approve or to refuse to approve the responsible person within 30 days from the date of receipt of the additional information and documents.

(4) Operating a lottery is prohibited, if the Lotteries and Gambling Supervision Inspection has not approved the responsible person.

(5) The lottery operator shall, within three working days, inform the Lotteries and Gambling Supervision Inspection of the appointment of a new responsible person and the dismissal of the previous one. The Lotteries and Gambling Supervision Inspection shall take a decision to approve or to refuse to approve the responsible person within 20 days from receipt of the corresponding notification. In this case the prohibition referred to in Paragraph four of this Section shall not be applied.

Section 68. General Obligations of a Lottery Operator

(1) A lottery operator shall be responsible for:

1) the legality of the lottery process;

2) the payment of the tax and fee in accordance with the procedures and in the amount laid down in the Law;

3) the expertise and professionalism of the staff involved.

(2) The lottery operator shall ensure the pay-out of the prize to the lottery participants, taking into account the following conditions:

1) a prize that does not exceed 720 euros shall be paid out immediately;

2) a prize in the range from 721 euros to 14,300 euros shall be paid out within three working days from the moment of applying for it;

3) a prize exceeding 14,300 euros shall be paid out according to the procedures authorised by the lottery rules not later than within 30 days from the moment of applying for it and in not more than two payments;

4) upon request of a lottery participant, the prize may be paid out in cash or transferred to the bank account specified by the participant.

(3) If any amendments have been made to the documents that constitute the grounds for receiving the licence to operate the lottery, the lottery operator shall, within five working days, inform the Lotteries and Gambling Supervision Inspection regarding them but as regards the changes to the capital company's share capital and the composition of the owners - within five working days after registration of these changes in the Enterprise Register of the Republic of Latvia.

(4) The lottery operator shall notify the Lotteries and Gambling Supervision Inspection in writing of the sale of the ticket series of a State instant lottery and a local instant lottery 10 working days prior to the respective sale.

[12 September 2013; 30 November 2015]

Section 69. Lottery Rules

(1) In places where lottery tickets are sold, a copy of the relevant lottery rules approved by the Lotteries and Gambling Supervision Inspection must be available, and the lottery operator shall be responsible for presenting these rules to a lottery participant upon his or her request.

(2) The following information shall be included in the lottery rules:

1) the name, legal address and phone number of the lottery operator;

2) the title and type of the lottery;

3) the procedures according to which a participant may take part in the lottery;

4) the lottery ticket price or the participation fee;

5) the total number of the lottery tickets of the instant lottery;

6) the prize pool and distribution thereof by prize groups;

7) the procedures for identifying the winning tickets;

8) the procedures for applying for the prize and handing out the prize;

9) the date by which the participant of the numerical lottery may apply for the prize;

10) the authority to which the participant may apply in case of any claims, as well as the procedures for considering the claims;

11) other information considered relevant by the lottery operator.

(3) The Lotteries and Gambling Supervision Inspection has the right to require additional information from the lottery operator in order to decide on conformity of the lottery with the requirements of this Law.

(4) The Lotteries and Gambling Supervision Inspection shall approve the rules prepared by the lottery operator within 15 days from the date of the receipt thereof.

Section 70. Refusal to Approve the Lottery Rules

The Lotteries and Gambling Supervision Inspection shall refuse to approve the lottery rules, if at least one of the following conditions applies:

1) the information specified in this Law has not been included therein;

2) the rules provide for the operation of a lottery not conforming with the requirements of this Law;

3) the rules provide that the prize can be received only after a definite number of participants is involved in the lottery or if the total sales have reached a definite sum;

4) the rules provide for the operation of a pyramidal lottery in which the participation fee (bet) or invested values after some time grant the prize to an unspecified range of persons.

Section 71. Lottery Bonus Game

(1) The instant lottery bonus game is a possibility provided for in the lottery rules upon setting in of specific conditions to play a game free of charge but with the possibility to win.

(2) The following information shall be indicated in the rules of an instant lottery bonus game:

1) the name, legal address and phone number of the lottery operator;

2) the title and type of the lottery bonus game;

3) the procedures according to which a participant may take part in a lottery bonus game;

4) the prize pool and distribution thereof by prize groups;

5) the procedures for identifying the winning tickets;

6) the procedures for applying for the prize and handing out the prize;

7) the date by which the instant lottery bonus game shall be operated;

8) the date by which the participant of the bonus game may apply for the prize;

9) the authority to which the participant may apply in case of any claims, as well as the procedures for considering the claims;

10) other information considered relevant by the lottery operator.

(3) The numerical lottery bonus game is a possibility provided for in the lottery rules upon setting in of specific conditions to participate in return for a payment in the bonus game and receive an additional prize.

(4) The following information shall be indicated in the rules of the numerical lottery bonus game:

1) the name, legal address and phone number of the lottery operator;

2) the title and type of the lottery bonus game;

3) the procedures according to which a participant may take part in a lottery bonus game;

4) the participation fee of the bonus game;

5) the amount of the prize;

6) the procedures for determining the winning lottery tickets and the lottery coupons;

7) the procedures for applying for the prize and handing out the prize;

8) the authority to which the participant may apply in case of any claims, as well as the procedures for considering the claims;

9) other information considered relevant by the lottery operator.

(5) The Lotteries and Gambling Supervision Inspection shall approve or refuse to approve the rules of the lottery bonus game within 15 days from the date of the receipt thereof.

Section 72. Lottery Tickets or Coupons

(1) The following information shall be indicated on the lottery tickets and coupons:

1) the name, legal address and phone number of the lottery operator;

2) the address where the prize is to be received;

3) the deadline for claiming the prize;

4) the ticket or coupon price, participation fee;

5) the number of the ticket or the coupon.

(2) Prior to receiving the licence, the local lottery tickets and single local lottery tickets shall be registered with the territorial institution of the State Revenue Service with which the lottery operator is registered as a taxpayer, and the samples of the registered lottery tickets shall be submitted to the Lotteries and Gambling Supervision Inspection.

Section 73. Restrictions on Operating a Lottery

(1) It is prohibited for the lottery operator to operate a lottery, if:

1) the relevant licence has not been received;

2) the Lotteries and Gambling Supervision Inspection has not approved the rules of the lottery or its bonus lottery;

3) when the deadline for re-registering the licence to operate the lottery has been reached, no decision has been taken on re-registration of the respective licence or no statutory fee has been paid;

4) the licence received to operate the lottery has been transferred to a third party.

(2) The lottery operator shall ensure that the total sum of the prize for all types of lotteries is not less than 45 per cent from the total sum of the ticket sales.

Chapter X
Interactive Lotteries

[23 November 2016]

Section 74. Operation of Interactive Lotteries

(1) The operation of interactive lotteries (money, goods, numerical and instant lotteries) shall mean the operation of such lotteries on a nationwide scale in which the participants use only electronic communication services to complete all the activities required for participation in such lotteries and the lottery prizes are established by a special programme.

(2) The location for interactive lotteries shall be the relevant website.

(3) The sale of tickets for money, goods, numerical or instant State lotteries or the participation fee paid in some other way via electronic communication services shall not be considered to be the operation of an interactive lottery within the meaning of this Law.

Section 75. Rights to Operate Interactive Lotteries

(1) The State owned stock company "Latvijas Loto" (hereinafter in this Chapter - the operator of the interactive lottery) shall be permitted to operate interactive lotteries.

(2) The licence to operate interactive lotteries (hereinafter - the licence to operate interactive lotteries) shall give the right to operate interactive lotteries on the website indicated in the licence.

Section 76. Receiving the Licence to Operate Interactive Lotteries

(1) To receive the licence to operate interactive lotteries, the operator of the interactive lottery shall submit an application to the Lotteries and Gambling Supervision Inspection, enclosing:

1) information on the planned types of interactive lotteries and the rules of each interactive lottery type;

2) information on the procedures for buying tickets or filling out the coupons in order to participate in the interactive lotteries;

3) information on the programmes used to operate interactive lotteries;

4) information on the location of the equipment for operating interactive lotteries and on the security measures planned to prevent third party influence on the results of the operated interactive lotteries;

5) confirmation from the operator of interactive lotteries that the security measures planned for the protection of personal data conform to the requirements of the laws and regulations;

6) information on the website used for operating interactive lotteries;

7) information on the person responsible for interactive lotteries, indicating the person's given name, surname and personal identification number.

(2) The following information shall be provided in the rules of the interactive lottery:

1) the name and legal address of the operator of the interactive lottery;

2) the title and type of the interactive lottery;

3) the procedures by which a participant may take part in an interactive lottery;

4) the interactive lottery ticket price or participation fee;

5) the total number of the lottery tickets of the instant lottery;

6) the prize pool and distribution thereof by prize groups;

7) the procedures for identifying the winning tickets;

8) the authority to which the participant may apply in case of any claims, as well as the procedures for considering the claims;

9) other information considered relevant by the operator of the interactive lottery.

(3) The Lotteries and Gambling Supervision Inspection shall take a decision to issue or to refuse to issue the licence to operate interactive lotteries within 30 days from the date of receipt of the application. If additional information and documents are requested, the Lotteries and Gambling Supervision Inspection shall take the decision to issue or to refuse to issue the licence to operate interactive lotteries within 30 days from the date of receipt of the additional information and documents.

Section 77. Refusal to Issue the Licence to Operate Interactive Lotteries

(1) The Lotteries and Gambling Supervision Inspection shall refuse to issue the licence to operate interactive lotteries, if any of the conditions laid down in Section 66 of this Law apply.

(2) In addition to the conditions referred to in Paragraph one of this Section, the Lotteries and Gambling Supervision Inspection shall refuse to issue the licence to operate interactive lotteries, if at least one of the following conditions applies:

1) the submitted rules of interactive lotteries do not conform to the requirements of this Law;

2) the programmes used to operate interactive lotteries do not conform to the requirements for the total sum of the prizes referred to in Section 73, Paragraph two of this Law or with other requirements of this Law;

3) the security measures planned by the operator of interactive lotteries to prevent third party influence on the results of the operated interactive lotteries, are inadequate.

Section 78. Withdrawal of the Licence to Operate Interactive Lotteries

The Lotteries and Gambling Supervision Inspection has the right to withdraw the granted licence to operate interactive lotteries, if any of the conditions laid down in Section 87, Paragraph one of this Law applies and if the operator of an interactive lottery uses an account or several accounts not notified to the State Revenue Service or the Lotteries and Gambling Supervision Inspection in his or her mutual transactions with the participants.

Section 79. Person Responsible for Operating Interactive Lotteries

(1) Upon issuing the licence to operate interactive lotteries, the Lotteries and Gambling Supervision Inspection shall approve the person responsible for the legality of the particular interactive lottery (hereinafter also - the responsible person).

(2) The Lotteries and Gambling Supervision Inspection shall not approve the person responsible for operating interactive lotteries, if any of the conditions laid down in Section 67, Paragraph two of this Law applies.

(3) Operating interactive lotteries is prohibited, if the Lotteries and Gambling Supervision Inspection has not approved the responsible person.

(4) The operator of interactive lotteries shall inform the Lotteries and Gambling Supervision Inspection of the appointment of a new responsible person and the dismissal of the previous one within three working days. The Lotteries and Gambling Supervision Inspection shall take a decision to approve or to refuse to approve the responsible person within 20 days from receipt of the corresponding notification. If the responsible person has been replaced, the prohibition referred to in Paragraph three of this Section shall not apply.

Section 80. Obligations of the Operator of Interactive Lotteries

(1) The operator of interactive lotteries shall ensure:

1) the registration of the players and identity verification in accordance with the procedures stipulated by the Cabinet, the personal data and the identity verification of the players before they are permitted to participate in the interactive lottery. The procedures for registering the players and verifying their identity shall be determined by the Cabinet;

2) the creation of a special game account on the game server of the operator of interactive lotteries for each participant of the interactive lottery;

3) unhindered access for the employees of the Lotteries and Gambling Supervision Inspection to the programmes used to operate interactive lotteries and to the accounting documents related to operating interactive lotteries.

(2) The website used by the operator of interactive lotteries for operating the interactive lottery shall indicate:

1) the name, unified registration number, legal address, telephone number and the number of the licence to operate interactive lotteries of the operator of interactive lotteries;

2) the title of each interactive lottery;

3) the rules of each interactive lottery;

4) a prohibition to participate in an interactive lottery with respect to persons residing in a country or area where participation in such lotteries is prohibited;

5) a prohibition to participate in an interactive lottery with respect to persons under 18 years of age.

(3) In mutual settlements between the operator of interactive lotteries and the participants, it shall be permitted to use only the accounts opened in credit institutions registered in the Republic of Latvia.

(4) The operator of interactive lotteries shall not be permitted to transfer the prize to an account which has not been used to deposit the fee for participation in the interactive lottery.

(5) The operator of interactive lotteries shall ensure that the equipment used for operating interactive lotteries and storing the personal data, the participation fees paid and the prize received by the players, is located in the Republic of Latvia.

(6) The Cabinet shall determine the information to be included in its conformity review of the interactive lotteries programme which has been used to operate the interactive lottery.

(7) Information on the programmes used in operating interactive lotteries and the respective security and personal data protection measures shall be submitted in accordance with the procedures stipulated by the Cabinet. The Cabinet shall lay down the procedures for submitting information on the programmes used in operating interactive lotteries and on the corresponding security and personal data protection measures.

(8) The operator of the interactive lottery shall, not later than within 15 days after the end of the reference quarter and in accordance with the procedures stipulated by the Cabinet, submit electronically a statement on the tickets sold and the total sum of the prizes paid out within the reference quarter to the State Revenue Service via the Electronic declaration system and to the Lotteries and Gambling Supervision Inspection. The Cabinet shall determine the procedures for submitting the statement on the reference quarter by the operator of interactive lotteries.

Chapter XI
Control and Supervision of Gambling and Lotteries

Section 81. Providers of Control and Supervision

The control and supervision of conformity with this Law, other laws and regulations and the gambling or lottery rules by the gambling and lottery operators shall be provided by the Lotteries and Gambling Supervision Inspection in accordance with the procedures stipulated by the Cabinet, by the State Revenue Service in accordance with the procedures laid down in the Law On the State Revenue Service, and by the State Police in accordance with the procedures laid down in the Law On Police.

Section 82. Lotteries and Gambling Supervision Inspection

(1) The Lotteries and Gambling Supervision Inspection shall be established and its by-laws shall be approved by the Cabinet.

(2) The Lotteries and Gambling Supervision Inspection shall have the following tasks:

1) to implement national policy on the operation of gambling and lotteries;

2) to carry out the licensing, supervision and control of gambling and lottery operators;

3) to draft laws and regulations concerning the operation of gambling and lotteries;

4) to ensure systematic record-keeping and statistical analysis of the gambling and lotteries market;

5) to register the gaming machines and the gambling equipment and provide information to State and local government institutions necessary for administration of the gambling and lotteries tax;

6) to ensure the functioning of the single gaming machine control and monitoring system via online data exchange with the gambling operators.

[30 November 2015 / Paragraph two, Clause 6 shall apply from 1 January 2019. See Paragraph 17 of Transitional Provisions]

Section 83. Council of the Lotteries and Gambling Supervision Inspection

[23 November 2016]

Section 84. Submission of the Report by the Gambling and Lotteries Operator

(1) [23 November 2016]

(2) The gambling and lottery operator shall, within 20 days after the end of the quarter, in accordance with the procedures stipulated by the Cabinet, submit a report on operating gambling and lotteries in the relevant reference quarter to the Lotteries and Gambling Supervision Inspection.

(3) The gambling and lottery operator shall keep accounting records in accordance with the Law On Accounting, the Law On Annual Financial Statements and Consolidated Financial Statements and Cabinet regulations governing the uniform accounting procedures for operating gambling and lotteries.

[30 November 2015; 23 November 2016]

Section 85. Procedures for Appealing Against the Decisions of the Lotteries and Gambling Supervision Inspection

(1) The decisions of the Lotteries and Gambling Supervision Inspection may be contested to the Director of the Lotteries and Gambling Supervision Inspection.

(2) The decisions of the Director of the Lotteries and Gambling Supervision Inspection may be appealed against to the administrative court.

Chapter XII
Liability for Infringements of the Laws and Regulations

Section 86. Suspension of the Licence to Operate Gambling, the Licence to Operate Lotteries and the Gambling Premises Licence

(1) The Lotteries and Gambling Supervision Inspection is entitled to suspend the licence to operate gambling, the licence to operate lotteries and the gambling premises licence or the operation of the gaming machines and gambling equipment until elimination of infringements, if it has been found that the laws governing the operation of gambling and lotteries or other laws and regulations have been violated by the gambling and lottery operator.

(2) The Director of the Lotteries and Gambling Supervision Inspection or his or her deputies are entitled to take decisions to suspend the licence to operate gambling, the licence to operate lotteries and the gambling premises licence or the operation of the gaming machines and gambling equipment.

(3) The officials referred to in Paragraph two of this Section shall notify the gambling or lottery operator in writing, making references to all infringements of laws and regulations found and by determining that the time period for eliminating the infringements shall last from one month to three months, unless a shorter period for eliminating the infringements is agreed by the parties.

(4) If the violations referred to in the warning are not eliminated in due time, the relevant official shall issue an order in writing to suspend the licence to operate gambling, the licence to operate lottery and the gambling premises licence or the operation of the gaming machines and gambling equipment.

(5) Without prior warning and by a written order, the licence to operate gambling, the licence to operate lottery and the gambling premises licence or the operation of the gaming machines and gambling equipment may be suspended, if the officials of the Lotteries and Gambling Supervision Inspection find that the gambling or lottery operator has violated the provisions of the Law On Lottery and Gambling Fee and Tax or has not made other tax payments to the State or local government budget in accordance with the procedures laid down in the law.

(6) The gambling or lottery operator shall report in writing on prevention of the violations of the laws and regulations to the Lotteries and Gambling Supervision Inspection which within seven days after receipt of the report, shall verify whether the violations have been eliminated, and in case they have been eliminated shall grant a written permit to renew the licence.

(7) The licence to operate gambling, the licence to operate lotteries and the gambling premises licence may be suspended immediately, if the gambling or lottery operator has submitted an application in writing regarding suspension of the licence.

(8) The suspension of the licence to operate gambling, the licence to operate lotteries and the gambling premises licence shall not envisage any refunding of the paid State fee to the capital company.

Section 87. Withdrawal of the Licence to Operate Gambling and the Licence to Operate Lotteries

(1) The Lotteries and Gambling Supervision Inspection has the right to withdraw the licence to operate gambling or the licence to operate lotteries, if at least one of the following conditions applies:

1) false information has been provided in order to receive the licence, exerting a significant impact on the decision making;

2) the gambling or lottery operator does not comply with the requirements of this Law;

3) the debt obligations of the gambling or lottery operator exceed the assets thereof;

4) the gambling or lottery operator has started winding-up proceedings;

5) bankruptcy proceedings of the gambling or lottery operator have been started in accordance with the procedures laid down in the Law;

6) the rights granted by the licence to operate gambling or the licence to operate lottery have been transferred to a third party;

7) the gambling or lottery operator regularly fails to adhere to the requirements of the laws governing gambling and lotteries and other laws and regulations;

8) the gambling or lottery operator has failed to eliminate in due time the violations of the laws, as well as the laws and regulations found by the Lotteries and Gambling Supervision Inspection;

9) the gambling or lottery operator has submitted an application in writing regarding the withdrawal of the licence.

(2) The State fee paid for receiving the licence to operate gambling or the licence to operate lottery shall not be reimbursed upon withdrawal of the licence.

(3) The Lotteries and Gambling Supervision Inspection shall withdraw the casino, gambling hall or bingo hall licences, as well as the betting or wagering shop licences, if at least one of the following conditions applies:

1) uncertified or unregistered gaming machines and gambling equipment have been installed or operated by the gambling operator on the gambling premises;

2) the document attached to the application for the purpose of receiving the gambling premises licence referred to in Section 26, Paragraph two, Clause 1 or 4 and Section 27, Paragraph two, Clause 1 or 3 of this Law has expired and no other valid document has been submitted;

3) the gambling operator repeatedly fails to comply with the requirements of Sections 36, 37, 38, 39 and Section 41, Paragraph one, Clause 6 of this Law;

4) the gambling operator has submitted an application in writing on withdrawal of the gambling premises licence.

[14 April 2011]

Section 88. Administrative or Criminal Liability of Persons

The persons operating gambling or lotteries without a licence issued by the Lotteries and Gambling Supervision Inspection or operating gambling or lotteries which are not referred to in this Law, shall be subject to administrative or criminal liability laid down in the law. The income generated from these activities shall be transferred to the State budget.

Transitional Provisions

1. Section 8, Clause 1 of this Law of this Law shall come into force on 1 January 2007. Until 1 January 2007 the share capital of gambling operators shall not be less than 50,000 lats.

2. The gambling operator shall ensure that the provisions of Section 9 of this Law regarding the requirements for members of the council and the board of directors and the auditor are fulfilled not later than by 1 July 2006.

3. By 1 July 2006, the gambling halls which do not conform to the requirements of Section 22, Paragraph one and Section 37, Paragraph one, Clauses 4 and 6 of this Law shall be transformed or closed.

4. The gambling operator shall ensure a separate outside entrance for gambling halls located in stores, cultural institutions, railway stations, bus stations, airports and ports, isolated by building structures, not later than by 1 July 2006.

5. Outside casinos and gambling halls, gaming machines may be installed and operated only on premises which were registered in the gaming machine register of the Lotteries and Gambling Supervision Inspection as on 30 June 2002.

6. Outside casinos and gambling halls it shall be permitted to install and operate not more than five gaming machines.

7. From 1 January 2006 no licences to install and operate gaming machines outside casinos and gambling halls shall be issued.

8. From 1 January 2007 the installation and operation of gaming machines outside casinos and gambling halls is prohibited.

9. Section 41, Paragraph two, Clauses 8, 9 and 10 of this Law shall come into force on 1 January 2007.

[8 June 2006]

10. The Cabinet shall issue the legal acts provided for in Section 4, Paragraphs six and seven of this Law by 1 January 2007.

[8 June 2006]

11. The Cabinet shall issue the legal acts provided for in Section 81 and Section 83, Paragraph three of this Law by 1 January 2007.

[8 June 2006]

12. By 1 January 2007 the Cabinet shall issue the regulations referred to in Section 39, Paragraph six, Section 47, Paragraphs two and three, Section 53, Paragraph six, Section 54, Section 63, Paragraph three, and Section 84, Paragraphs two and three of this Law.

13. Until the day when the provisions referred to in Paragraphs 11 and 12 of these Transitional provisions come into force, the following Cabinet regulations in accordance with the Law On Lotteries and Gambling shall apply provided they are not in contradiction with this Law:

1) Cabinet Regulation No. 50 of 7 March 1995, Regulations On the Operation of Lotteries by Public and Religious Organisations;

2) Cabinet Regulation No. 102 of 14 March 2000, Procedures for Submitting a Report on Operating Lotteries or Gambling;

3) Cabinet Regulation No. 237 of 18 July 2000, Regulations On Marking Gaming Machines and Gambling Equipment;

4) Cabinet Regulations No. 435 of 19 December 2000, Procedures for Supervising and Controlling the Operation and Maintenance of Lotteries and Gambling;

5) Cabinet Regulation No. 378 of 20 August 2002, Procedures for Processing Registration of Casino Visitors and Information to be Included in the Register of Casino Visitors;

6) Cabinet Regulation No. 762 of 23 December 2003, Single Procedures for Accounting of the Operation of Lotteries and Gambling;

7) Cabinet Regulation No. 106 of 24 February 2004, Procedures for Submitting a Report on the Total Sum of the Bets Paid-in and the Prizes Paid-out in the Reference Quarter by the Operator of Interactive Games, the Operator of Lotteries, the Totaliser or Betting Using Telecommunications;

8) Cabinet Regulation No. 175 of 25 March 2004, Procedures for Registering and Verifying the Identity of Players of Interactive Games;

9) Cabinet Regulation No. 248 of 6 April 2004, Procedures for Submitting Information on the Interactive Game Programmes, Security Measures and Personal Data Protection Measures.

14. With the coming into force of this Law, the Law On Lotteries and Gambling (Latvijas Republikas Saeimas un Ministru Kabineta Ziņotājs, 1994, No. 14; 1995, No. 22.; 1996, No. 16; 1997, No. 10, 13; 1999, No. 24; 2001, No. 15; 2002, No. 14; 2003, No. 15; 23), is repealed.

15. If the permit for opening the respective gambling premises or for operating gambling on the relevant premises granted by the local government to the gambling operator was in effect on the day these amendments came into force, it shall not be necessary to submit the permit provided for in Section 42 of this Law to re-register the licence with the Lotteries and Gambling Supervision Inspection. This provision shall not apply to cases when the permit has ceased to be in effect in accordance with Section 42, Paragraph six.

[8 June 2006]

16. Amendments to Section 41, Paragraph two, Clause 7 in relation to supplementation of this Clause with the reception sites of betting or wagering shop bets, as well as the requirement regarding the separate outside entrance, shall come into force on 1 January 2007.

[8 June 2006]

17. Section 24, Paragraph two and Section 82, Paragraph two, Clause 6 of this Law shall apply from 1 January 2019.

[30 November 2015]

18. A gambling operator who has received the licence to operate gambling for operating gaming machine games, bingo, roulette (cylindrical game), card and dice games or the licence to operate gambling for operating betting or wagering until 31 December 2015, and who will continue to operate the relevant types of gambling after 31 December 2015:

1) from 1 January 2016, need not receive a new licence to operate gambling - the relevant licence to operate gambling received shall be deemed to be the licence to operate gambling [gaming machine games, bingo, roulette (cylindrical games), card games, dice games, betting, wagering and interactive gambling, including games of chance via the telephone];

2) the date indicated in the decision to issue the relevant licence to operate gambling for re-registering the respective licence to operate gambling shall be deemed to be the re-registration date of the licence to operate gambling [gaming machine games, bingo, roulette (cylindrical games), card games, dice games, betting, wagering and interactive gambling, including games of chance via the telephone] by which the annual re-registration of the licence to operate gambling must be carried out.

[30 November 2015]

19. Until 1 September 2017 the Cabinet shall issue the regulations referred to in Section 80, Paragraph six of this Law.

[23 November 2016]

20. Until 1 May 2017, the Cabinet shall issue the regulations referred to in Section 80, Paragraph one, Clause 1 and Paragraphs seven and eight of this Law.

[23 November 2016]

This Law shall come into force on 1 January 2006.

This Law has been adopted by the Saeima on 17 November 2005.

President V. Vīķe-Freiberga

Riga, 7 December 2005

 

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¹ The Parliament of the Republic of Latvia

Translation © 2017 Valsts valodas centrs (State Language Centre)