Europe · LV
Latvia
Latvijas Banka supervises payments, e-money, investment and crypto-asset businesses, while interactive gambling is licensed by the Lotteries and Gambling Supervisory Inspection.
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.
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
Applications and regulator engagement for these routes are handled by our Regulatory & Licensing practice.
Considerations
What to weigh up
- A single financial supervisor simplifies engagement for groups combining several financial activities.
- Financial licences benefit from EU passporting; gambling licences do not.
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. How each is delivered depends on the local requirements that apply; where local qualification is required, we coordinate locally qualified counsel.
- Privacy & Data ProtectionPrivacy compliance and GDPR programmes, notices and DPAs, DPIAs, data mapping and ROPA, transfers, audits and breach response.
- 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 and protection, copyright protection, domain name disputes, portfolio support and IP agreements.
- Legal OpinionsRegulatory, business model, perimeter, payment, gaming, crypto-asset and cross-border opinions for banks, partners and investors.
- Bank Account OpeningSupport with corporate and operational accounts at banks and EMIs, prepared for how their compliance teams assess high-risk businesses.
- Merchant Account / Acquiring SetupSupport with merchant account applications and acquiring setup at acquirers and PSPs, including for high-risk merchant categories.
Support
How we support businesses in Latvia
- Regulatory & Licensing01Strategy, applications and regulator engagement for the gaming, payments, crypto and investment routes listed above.
- Corporate Structuring02Group architecture, incorporation, substance and governance built around your licences, banking and investors.
- Market Entry & Regulatory Strategy10Market prioritisation, regulatory roadmaps and launch readiness for businesses expanding into new jurisdictions.
- Information Security & Technology Compliance06DORA, NIS2 and the information security obligations that apply under EU law.
Discuss your matter with a senior advisor.
Share a few details about your business and plans. We will come back to arrange a confidential initial conversation.