Europe · LV
Latvia
Latvijas Banka supervises payments, e-money, investment and crypto-asset businesses; the Lotteries and Gambling Supervisory Inspection licenses interactive gambling.
At a glance
- Status
- EU member state
- Region
- Europe
- Regulated sectors
- GamingPaymentsCryptoInvestment
- Authorities
- Latvijas Banka · IAUI · Financial Intelligence Unit of Latvia
- Licensing routes
- 4
- See also
- EU / MiCA
Overview
The framework
Latvia licenses interactive gambling through the Lotteries and Gambling Supervisory Inspection, which supervises licensed operators and acts against unlicensed offers.
Since 2023, Latvijas Banka has been the single financial supervisor: it authorises payment and e-money institutions and investment firms, and is the competent authority for crypto-asset service providers under MiCA. We prepare applications to both regulators.
Authorities
Who regulates what
- Latvijas Banka
- Banking, payments, e-money, investment services and crypto-asset services.
- Lotteries and Gambling Supervisory Inspection (IAUI)
- Licensing and supervision of gambling, including interactive gambling.
- Financial Intelligence Unit of Latvia
- Suspicious transaction reporting and AML/CFT analysis.
Regimes
Licensing routes
Interactive gambling licence
Licence to organise gambling online.
Sectors: Gaming
Payment / e-money institution
Authorisation by Latvijas Banka, passportable across the EEA.
Sectors: Payments
Investment firm
MiFID II authorisation for investment services.
Sectors: Investment
MiCA CASP authorisation
Crypto-asset services authorised by Latvijas Banka.
Sectors: Crypto
Our Regulatory & Licensing practice prepares the applications for these routes and manages them through to the regulator's decision.
Considerations
What to weigh up
- Groups combining several financial activities can plan them together: a single supervisor simplifies engagement.
- Rely on EU passporting for financial licences; it does not cover gambling licences.
This overview is general information, summarised at a high level. Requirements change and depend on the specific activity; seek advice on your circumstances before acting.
Industries
Relevant industries
- iGaming & GamingB2C operators, B2B suppliers, platforms, aggregators and affiliates.
- Fintech & PaymentsPayment and e-money institutions, PSPs and acquirers, payment facilitators and embedded finance.
- Crypto & Digital AssetsCASPs and VASPs, exchanges, custodians, wallets, token projects and crypto payments.
- Forex & InvestmentsForex and CFD brokers, investment firms, trading and investment platforms.
Across jurisdictions
Cross-jurisdiction capabilities
Services we support across the jurisdictions in our directory, described once on their own pages. We deliver each to the requirements that apply locally, coordinating local specialists where local law, registration, representation or professional requirements require it.
- Privacy & Data ProtectionExternal DPO services and working privacy programmes: GDPR and global privacy laws, DPIAs, data mapping, transfers and ISO/IEC 27701.
- Information Security & CybersecurityFractional CISO support, ISMS and security programmes, certification and audit readiness, DORA, NIS2 and customer assurance for enterprise sales.
- AI GovernanceGovernance that lets AI adoption scale: EU AI Act readiness, ISO/IEC 42001 management systems, AI risk and impact assessments, and vendor risk.
- AML & Financial Crime ComplianceAML/CFT programmes, MLRO-as-a-Service, independent AML/CFT audits, risk assessments, monitoring, sanctions and inspection support.
- IP Registration & ProtectionTrademark and patent registration, copyright, domain disputes and enforcement that protect your brand, software and content across markets.
- Legal OpinionsRegulatory, business model, perimeter, payment, gaming, crypto-asset and cross-border opinions that answer what banks and investors ask.
- Bank Account OpeningHelp organising your banking with banks and EMIs that fit your model, from the onboarding file and account structure to periodic reviews.
- Merchant Account / Acquiring SetupMerchant applications, acquiring structure and negotiated terms for online and high-risk merchants that need stable card and local payment acceptance.
Support
Latvia: how we support your business
- Regulatory & LicensingStrategy, applications and regulator engagement for the gaming, payments, crypto and investment routes listed above.
- Corporate StructuringGroup architecture, incorporation, substance and governance built around your licences, banking and investors.
- Market Entry & Regulatory StrategyMarket prioritisation, regulatory roadmaps and launch readiness that let you expand into new jurisdictions in the right order.
- Information Security & CybersecurityDORA, NIS2 and the information security obligations that apply under EU law.
Latvia: the right fit for your business?
We look at your product, target clients and banking needs to see whether this jurisdiction fits or another would serve you better, then send a written proposal with scope, timetable and fee.