Regulatory Changes Take Effect as Latvia Integrates Gambling Oversight Into Tax Authority
Latvia has moved gambling supervision under the State Revenue Service to better manage a market dominated by online gambling and higher taxes.Summary
Latvia's gambling industry is undergoing a major regulatory shift as the government integrates gambling oversight into the State Revenue Service (SRS). This reform, effective April 1, 2026, consolidates the former Lotteries and Gambling Supervision Inspection under the SRS, which now handles both taxation and market supervision. The move follows a year where online gambling accounted for 57% of total revenue, signaling a shift from traditional venues. The reform aims to reduce bureaucracy and improve coordination, allowing authorities quicker access to financial information for enforcement. It comes alongside higher gambling taxes introduced in January 2026, which increased rates for interactive gambling, betting, and bingo. While licensed operators face a new reporting structure, players are expected to see little immediate change, though the new structure is designed to strengthen oversight against unlicensed operators and meet growing expectations for market transparency.
(Source：World Casino News)