Latvian IAUI License

In Latvia, all gambling-related activity is controlled by the Lotteries and Gambling Supervisory Inspection – Izložu un azartspēļu uzraudzības inspekcija (IAUI). It operates within the Ministry of Finance’s jurisdiction. Since 1998 it has been responsible for supervising the gambling market in Latvia, issuing licenses, monitoring operators, ensuring player safety and controlling the legality of advertising.

Main Focus of the IAUI

IAUI oversees a wide range of matters, all aimed at making gambling safe for the country’s residents. The authority is responsible for:

• Issuing licenses to operators of online casinos, bookmakers, totalizators, poker rooms, slot machine halls, and lottery companies.
• Ensuring compliance with all regulations: fairness, business transparency, and responsible handling of money and player data.
• Combating illegal gambling and websites; the authority actively pursues violators and prevents fraud.
• Protecting players’ interests, informing the public about risks and the problems associated with excessive gambling, launching educational initiatives, and publishing reference materials.
• Reviewing gambling advertising: all promotional content is evaluated according to strict standards to ensure that the information is fair and does not appeal to minors.
• Enforcing age restrictions: participation is permitted only for individuals aged 21 and above.

License Obtainment – Stages and Requirements

Only companies registered in Latvia, the European Union, or the European Economic Area are eligible to apply for an IAUI license. This helps maintain a consistently high standard among operators, as the requirements are the same for everyone.

• The operator must submit a business plan, ownership documents, the company’s structure, and proof of financial stability. For online casinos, the minimum security deposit is €1 400 000, and for bookmakers it starts at €427 000.
• All documentation must be completed in Latvian, and every detail must be transparent and accurate.
• Once the application is submitted, the inspection conducts a thorough evaluation of the platform, reviewing its technical systems, player protection tools, and the company’s financial stability.
• Each type of gambling product (such as online casino, sports betting, poker, or bingo) requires a separate license.
• Companies that successfully pass the evaluation are then added to IAUI’s public register on the authority’s website.

The entire licensing process takes around two to three months. Holding this license grants operators the right to legally work on the Latvian market and serves as a mark of credibility for players and business partners alike.

Main Requirements for Licensees

To obtain and maintain an IAUI licence, companies must comply with strict regulations:

• Verify the identity of all customers: the KYC (Know Your Customer) procedure blocks anonymous gambling and protects against fraudsters.
• Apply AML (Anti Money Laundering) financial monitoring: the operator is obliged to identify suspicious transactions and report them to the country’s financial authorities in a timely manner.
• Respect the age requirement: only individuals over 21 years old are allowed on the platform.
• Implement limits on bets, deposits and playing time to minimise the harm from gambling entertainment.
• Publish health risk warnings and provide hotlines and links to player support services.
• Store customers’ personal and financial data for no less than five years.
• Maintain regular reporting for the inspectorate and other state authorities.

Violation of these rules may lead to heavy fines, revocation of the license and even criminal liability for the operator.

Player Protection and Advertisement Oversight

In Latvia, there is a special state self restriction register. If a player decides to temporarily block their access to gambling, they submit an application to the inspectorate through the platform or in person. After that, their account is blocked on all licensed sites which helps them cope with gambling addiction.

Gambling and lottery advertising is strictly regulated. All ads must contain an age warning, information about the associated risks, and hotline numbers that provide counselling. The materials are sent to the IAUI for approval. Without permission, advertising cannot be published. The inspectorate ensures that ads do not violate the law and do not target minors.

Modern Trends and Development Prospects

In recent years, the IAUI has tightened safety and reporting requirements in the gambling market. The age limit has been raised, time and loss limits have become mandatory, and advertising control has become as strict as possible. The inspectorate is also expanding educational initiatives to reduce the number of problem players and help people deal with addiction.

The number of requests to the self restriction register is growing. Operators are implementing new technologies for identity verification, data handling and risk analysis. The IAUI regularly updates its guidelines and maintains communication with companies to ensure that the Latvian gambling market remains transparent and fair.

Conclusion

The IAUI licence is a mark of high quality standards and responsibility for gambling operators. The regulator is known for its trustworthiness, straightforward procedures and a strong focus on the protection of players’ interests. Operators are required to comply with all regulations, ensure the financial safety of its patrons and offer transparency when working with their customers.