Best New Casinos in Latvia: Top 10 Casino Websites 2023

New Casinos in Latvia

New online casinos have been setting foot in Latvia in high numbers. That includes international online gambling sites. While the variety is good news to Latvian punters, choosing the best new casinos can be challenging, especially for new punters. Below are a few factors that players can consider when choosing the right new online casino in Latvia.

Language

The official language spoken in Latvia is known as Latvian or Lettish. Latvian players should consider choosing new online casinos that offer their gambling services in Latvian for a great user experience. That especially is the case for individuals with limited knowledge of other languages spoken in the country, such as Latvian, Russian, and English, or who are more comfortable using their local dialect.

Payment options

Most new online casinos nowadays offer a comprehensive variety of payment options. However, Latvian players should still check to ensure that their preferred payment method is among the options. That is especially the case when considering international sites but prefer making transactions using local payment options.

Games offered

The number and variety of new online casino games offered is another essential consideration. Choosing a gambling site with a wide variety of games is usually a good idea as it provides more gaming opportunities while minimizing game monotony. Punters interested in particular games can also limit their choices to new casinos with specific games.

License status

Although online gambling is legal in Latvia, it is limited only to licensed casinos. Punters should thus restrict their options to new online casinos with valid licenses to offer their service in the country.

Trustworthiness

The increasing popularity of online gambling in Latvia and worldwide has led to an increased number of scam gambling sites. Punters can lose money or give their personal and banking details to the wrong people. Thus, Latvians are advised to stick to reliable new casino sites, preferably licensed locally or by a credible offshore jurisdiction.

The perks of new online casinos

New online casinos in Latvia have numerous advantages. For starters, most of them offer new and innovative features, enhancing users’ experience. Another perk is that they usually offer generous bonuses to position themselves in the competitive industry. Therefore, Latvian punters can take advantage of these incentives.

History of gambling in Latvia

All forms of gambling were banned in Latvia before 1990. That is because Latvia was a part of the Soviet Union, which had stringent laws regarding gambling. Latvia obtained its independence and adopted its first gambling law in 1993.

The law made it legal for land-based casinos to operate. The main reason was to attract more tourists to the country, which contributed quite a lot to its economy. However, Eastern European casino companies like Admiral and Olympic Entertainment dominated the gambling industry.

In 2017, Riga City Council decided to ban gambling activities in the capital. However, an exception was made for the gambling facilities that operated in five-star and four-star hotels. A majority of experts consider the move to have had quite a significant impact on the further development of the gambling industry in Latvia.

The introduction of online gambling

It was until the 2000s that the first online casinos appeared in Latvia. That was thanks to the progressive local legislation regarding gambling. Latvia also imposed favorable tax rates, making the online gambling environment quite friendly to investors. That led to numerous online casino operators opening branches in the country.

The online gambling industry in Latvia continued to flourish over the years. In 2017, a company called Playtech launched the largest online live dealer casino facility globally, which helped solidify Latvia’s position in the global gambling industry.

In 2018, the Latvian government changed the taxation rates from €11,000 per gambling table to €400,000 annual fee. Given the increased popularity of online gambling in the country, that move was quite favorable to online gambling providers.

Gambling in Latvia nowadays

Today, more than 30% of the adult population in Latvia plays online casino games from time to time. The number of online casinos that accept Latvian punters is also increasing rapidly, contributing to the increasing number of online punters. Several land-based casinos are still operational, but they are slowly losing popularity to new online casinos because of the numerous advantages they offer over their land-based counterparts.

Future of new casinos in Latvia

According to several experts, it will be more challenging for new casinos to establish themselves in Latvia in the future. That is because the government will likely impose more strict requirements and regulations for both new and existing online gambling platforms to protect the local punters from malicious gambling sites.

However, the online gambling industry will continue to thrive, generating a lot of income for the country. Advancing technology will also make new online casinos accessible to more people, increasing the number of punters.

Are casinos legal in Latvia?

Latvia introduced the first-ever Gambling law in 1993, only two years after gaining independence. The law made land-based gambling legal in the country. It also highlighted all the limitations and regulations. The law was amended severally over the years, but the changes made were not too significant to influence the gambling industry negatively.

It was until 2005 that the Gambling and Lotteries law was introduced, which took effect from 2006. The main purpose of this law was to improve the regulatory framework for casinos. Online casinos were also not well-covered in the previous law. The Gambling and Lotteries Law of 2005 officially made online gambling legal in Latvia.

Other laws that impact the online gaming operations in Latvia are the Lotteries and Gambling Tax Fee Law, Lotteries of Goods and Services Law, and the Personal Income Tax Law.

Latvian players' favorite games

Slots are undoubtedly among the most popular games in Latvian new online casinos. Most casinos usually offer a variety of slots to cover the preferences of most punters. The main differences are generally in themes, volatility, and RTP. Among the main reasons slots are so popular in Latvia is they are very easy to play and offer attractive wager-to-win ratios. That is especially the case for progressive jackpot slots.
Roulette is another favorite for many Latvian punters. It is a game of chance in which punters place wagers on where a small ball will land in a spinning roulette wheel. Unlike in slots, which are entirely based on luck, chances of winning in roulette can be improved using several betting strategies that revolve around which bets to place and the number of bets to place for each spin.
Online poker is popular in Latvia, especially among punters who prefer strategy games at new casinos. There is an element of luck involved in the game, but players can rely on skills and strategy to win. The popularity of poker increased with the introduction of live poker. Live poker allows punters to play against real opponents with a live dealer running the game in real-time.
Latvian punters who love card games also tend to enjoy blackjack. The game is rather simple and fun. Players only need to get their cards closer to 21 than the dealer to win. According to most experts, blackjack offers a low house edge, meaning higher winning chances for punters.
Dice is also relatively easy to play and rely entirely on luck. The gameplay involves tossing two virtual dice on a table. The outcome of the dice determines whether the punter wins.
Baccarat allows punters to bet on the bank or other players. The gameplay depends on the variation of Baccarat a player selects in their new online casino. There are numerous Baccarat variations, including Punto Banco, mini-baccarat, baccarat squeeze, and speed baccarat.

Popular new casino bonuses in Latvia

A common feature among most new online casinos in Latvia is bonuses. Different new casino sites offer different bonus types and amounts, each having unique wagering requirements.

Welcome/Sign up bonuses

Welcome bonuses are the most popular among new gambling sites in Latvia. The bonuses are usually offered to punters signing up for an account in the respective casinos for the first time. Online casino operators typically offer welcome bonuses to attract new punters to their platforms.

Loyalty bonuses

Loyalty bonuses are also a new norm in Latvian online casinos. They are usually offered to punters on various terms, such as after betting consistently for a given duration or after spending more than a specified amount.

Referral bonuses

As the name suggests, referral bonuses are usually offered to punters who refer the new online casinos to new players. In most cases, the bonuses generally become valid only after the referred punters sign up and place their first wagers.

Casino payment methods in Latvia

Credit cards are the most popular payment option for many Latvians in new casinos online. That is mainly because most punters have credit cards. Cards are also easy to use when making deposits. Punters only need to enter the card details and confirm the transaction. Another reason credit cards are popular is that most online casinos offer higher bonuses for the payment option. Deposits made via credit cards are usually processed instantly.
E-wallets are the second most popular payment option for most Latvians regarding depositing or withdrawing from new online casinos. That mostly is because they are relatively easy to use and are pretty secure. E-wallets are particularly popular among frequent travellers because they can be accessed from anywhere and anytime to make deposits without worrying about exchange rates. Some of the most popular e-wallets in the country are Skrill, PayPal, and Neteller. E-wallet deposits are usually instant.

Euro is the regular and official currency used in Latvia.

Languages at Latvian new casinos

A majority of new casinos in Latvia offer services in Latvian. That includes customer service. English is the second most common language found in new Latvian online casinos. Almost a half of the population can communicate in English, so English is also common in new casino sites. English, being the most preferred language internationally, is a good choice for most new online casinos looking to join the international market.

How we select the top new Latvian casinos

Numerous considerations go into ranking the best new online casinos in Latvia. For starters, all the casinos ranked here must be licensed to operate. Factors such as user experience and the general theme of the gaming site also matter though such might boil down to personal preferences in some cases. Below are some of the criteria used in selecting the top Latvian new casinos.

Safety & Security

Top-ranking new online casinos must have some of the best security features. That includes the latest and most secure encryption protocols available. The security features ensure punters do not lose their money to hackers. The online casinos must also guarantee that users’ information will not land in the wrong hands.

Language & Software

The language and software used also matter. The new online casino should be in the most preferred language among Latvian punters, Latvian and English. The new online casino games software must be intuitive and effective so that users have an easy and fun time playing. The software must also be from reputable game developers to ensure the integrity of the games.

Customer Support

It is quite common for players to experience hiccups when playing in a new online casino, especially those new to gambling. Easy access to customer service usually comes in handy in such cases, making it an essential ranking factor. Top Latvian new online casinos must offer efficient and effective customer support services.

Top-rated New gambling sites in Latvia