Draft Gambling and Lottery Policy Amendments
The proposed bill aims to implement the guidelines outlined in the 2021-2027 Gambling and Lottery Policy. Its primary goals are to:
Protect public interests by mitigating gambling and lottery risks.
Establish a controlled, transparent, and responsible gambling environment.
Enhanced Age Restrictions:
The draft law raises the minimum age for gambling from 18 to 21 and sets an age limit for lottery participation for those under 18. Previously, no age restriction applied to lottery draws.
Gaming Hall Regulations:
The minimum number of gaming machines in gaming halls will be increased from 20 to 25, eliminating small gaming halls and reducing accessibility.
Transparency and Facade Design:
The draft law delegates the Cabinet of Ministers to establish guidelines regarding the information and design elements permitted on the facades of gambling establishments.
Risk Management:
Gambling organizers and interactive raffle operators will be required to implement risk monitoring and control systems to:
Protect players from gambling addiction.
Prevent gambling among those at risk.
Smart Cards and Time Limits:
The bill proposes introducing personalized smart cards to enhance identification of gambling addiction. Additionally, gambling activities will be restricted to between 6 and 9 a.m., with limitations on interactive gambling duration.
Visitor Registration:
The draft law delegates the Cabinet of Ministers to establish a system requiring gambling organizers to register visitors, enhancing transparency and reducing the risk of funding illegal activities.
Next Steps:
The bill, after government approval, will be reviewed by the Saeima before becoming law.