Baltics
Court Declares Rīga’s Ban on Gambling Unconstitutional
The Constitutional Court of Latvia said on April 4 that it had deemed the restriction on the organisation of gambling throughout Rīga unconstitutional, as the municipality has not justified why gambling is prohibited in the specific areas.
The case was brought before the Constitutional Court following applications by the gambling companies Olympic Casino Latvia Ltd, Alfor Ltd and Joker Ltd. They requested an assessment of the compliance of the Rīga spatial plan with Article 105 of the Constitution, which provides for the right to property that may be restricted only following the law. Compulsory expropriation of property for public needs is only allowed in exceptional cases on the basis of a separate law against fair compensation.
The contested norm provides, however, that the organisation of gambling and the provision of gambling services are prohibited in the entire administrative territory of Rīga, except where such gambling venues are located in four- or five-star hotels.
Six years ago, the Riga City Council decided to close down 42 gambling venues in the city centre, and last September it decided to cancel 139 permits for gambling venues outside the city centre. They must close within five years.
The Constitutional Court found that the organisation of gambling is a legal commercial activity existing in conditions of free competition.
The legislator has given the municipality the competence to assess independently which areas or territories of the municipality should be subject to restrictions on the organisation of gambling. The municipality is also entitled to designate an unlimited number of areas in the spatial plan where gambling is not allowed. However, the municipality must comply with the principle of territorial assessment laid down in the authorisation granted by the legislator.
The Constitutional Court found that the municipality had failed to state reasons why the organisation of gambling was prohibited in the functional zones of the spatial plan, where commercial activities were envisaged as one of the permitted uses of the territory.
In accordance with the principle of assessment of territories laid down in the Law on Gambling, the municipality must assess, for example, in the spatial planning process, the built-up area and the location of infrastructure facilities, the population density, the interests of residents and traders and other relevant aspects which may be the basis for imposing restrictions on the organisation of gambling.
No such assessment has been carried out by the municipality prior to the establishment of restrictions on gambling throughout the territory of Riga.
The Constitutional Court held that the restriction on fundamental rights contained in the contested norm was incompatible with Article 1 and the first, second and third sentences of Article 105 of the Constitution.
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HIPTHER is thrilled to reveal Lex Legas as a Strategic Partner for the HIPTHER Baltics conference series, which includes Vilnius, Riga, and Tallinn. The collaboration incorporates LexLegas’s extensive knowledge in cross-border regulation, compliance, and high-risk legal structures into the targeted Baltic series.
Updated Date for Riga – Baltic Tech Week
The date for the Riga conference has been officially updated to 11 May 2026 (instead of the previously stated 12 May). The conference will remain the inaugural event of Baltic Tech Week in Riga.
After a robust debut set for 21 April 2026 in Vilnius, and prior to the Tallinn edition later in the series, HIPTHER Baltics: Riga strengthens HIPTHER’s dedication to locally anchored, high-quality discussions throughout the Baltic region, uniting regulatory, legal, fintech, and gaming participants around the most significant issues.
A Tactical Alignment: Lex Legas
Lex Legas is a specialized legal consultancy and research-oriented legal brand focusing on iGaming, fintech, payments, AML/CTF, and international regulatory frameworks, emphasizing Baltic, EU, and high-risk regions.
Integrating practical legal experience with regulatory investigation and strategic guidance, Lex Legas collaborates closely with operators, payment processors, software vendors, and international advisors engaged in regulated and semi-regulated sectors. Their expertise spans:
- iGaming & betting regulation (EU & non-EU jurisdictions)
- AML/CTF frameworks, risk assessments, and compliance structuring
- Payment solutions, PSP integrations, and fintech regulatory analysis
- Licensing, corporate structuring, and operational legal support
- Regulatory trends, enforcement practices, and supervisory expectations
- Cross-border legal risk management for high-risk business models
“At Lex Legas, we work daily at the intersection of regulation, technology, and high-risk business models, exactly where today’s iGaming, fintech, and payments industries are being shaped.
HIPTHER Baltics stands out as a rare platform that goes beyond surface-level discussions and creates space for real, jurisdiction-specific conversations around compliance, licensing, player protection, and operational risk.
Partnering with HIPTHER for the Baltics series feels like a natural extension of our mission: translating complex regulatory frameworks into practical, business-ready solutions. We’re excited to contribute our research-driven perspective and hands-on experience to the dialogue in Vilnius, Riga, and Tallinn, and to help shape meaningful cross-border discussions across the region in 2026” – The Legal Experts of “Lex Legas” Team
HIPTHER Baltics 2026 – Three Capitals, One Vision
The HIPTHER Baltics series brings HIPTHER’s signature focus on regulation, compliance, fintech, and innovation to the heart of the Baltic region through three targeted, one-day conferences each hosted in a Baltic capital and built around locally-relevant themes with regional and cross-border impact.
“HIPTHER Baltics is built as a focused conference series for the region — not just a one-off event. From Vilnius to Riga and Tallinn, our goal is to create a high-level platform where regulators, legal experts, fintech leaders, and gaming stakeholders can connect around the real topics shaping the market: compliance, licensing, payments, player protection, and cross-border operations.
That’s why partnering with Lex Legas feels like a perfect match. Their research-driven approach and hands-on expertise in iGaming, fintech, and regulatory frameworks across the Baltics and beyond brings exactly the depth and clarity we want to deliver through the entire series. We’re proud to welcome them as a Strategic Partner and look forward to building meaningful, practical conversations together in 2026.” — Zoltan “Hawkie” Tundik, Co-Founder & Head of Business, HIPTHER
More information & tickets: https://hipther.com/events/baltics/
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DATA.BET, a leading sportsbook solution supplier, has signed a content deal with Entain NCE, to strengthen the esports betting offer of their brands (Optibet and Klondaika) across the Baltics and Nordics – with Estonia as a key rollout market.
Through the collaboration, Entain and its portfolio of brands will receive DATA.BET’s premium esports coverage. The package includes a comprehensive Odds Feed, Risk Management, Bet Builder and a suite of engagement Widgets – Pitch Tracker (interactive 2D map), Scoreboards (visual representation of player statistics), live Video Streaming, Statistical Widgets (team history and game stats) and a Multi Widget that unites all these tools within one screen. The partnership is designed to help Entain brands and their clients increase profitability in esports by combining precise pricing and risk controls with engagement tools that lift turnover and margin.
With the deal, Entain’s customers get access to DATA.BET’s 30+ disciplines and over 10,000 monthly events, delivered with a down-to-the-second bet delay across leading titles such as Counter-Strike 2, Dota 2, Valorant, League of Legends and others. A phased expansion of additional disciplines and features will follow to meet Entain’s demand.
“This partnership sets a high bar for product excellence. Our role is to power that ambition with an esports layer that’s rich in content and strong on risk, enabling consistent margins and a best-in-class customer experience. We’ve aligned on a clear roadmap to scale, with more Entain brands scheduled to join the rollout next,” said Otto Bonning, Head of Sales at DATA.BET.
“We are thrilled to partner with DATA.BET who are renown for being the leading Esports provider and who share the same passion and commitment for Esports as we do. DATA.BET’s deep understanding of the esports ecosystem and its growing influence among modern audiences makes the collaboration a perfect fit. Together, we aim to elevate esports and deliver the best experience and entertainment to the fans across Baltics and Nordics regions,” said Hendrik Ahuna, Director of Sportsbook at Entain NCE.
The post DATA.BET Now Powers Esports for Entain NCE Across Baltics & Nordics appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
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In a move that further reinforces its footprint across regulated European markets, SYNOT Games has announced a new partnership with Boost Casino, a prominent platform in Estonia. The collaboration brings certified SYNOT titles, including some of the studio’s latest and most innovative releases, to the casino’s rapidly growing grid.
Players on Boost Casino can now enjoy brand-new titles such as the mystical Respin Multi Joker, 40 Coins of Chance, or Rio Mystery Night. These additions expand Boost Casino’s offering with a spectrum of engaging mechanics, premium design, and mobile-first performance, ensuring the highest-quality entertainment for the Estonian audience.
The agreement is part of SYNOT Games’ strategic initiative to solidify its presence in licensed, regulated markets, providing innovative content through partnerships with established and trusted regional operators.
Martin Krajčí, Chief Commercial Officer at SYNOT Games, said: “We are excited to bring our portfolio to Estonian players through this strategic alliance with Boost Casino. Estonia represents a market with great potential and an audience that appreciates quality, variety, and innovation. Boos Casino’s agility and commitment to delivering premium entertainment make them an ideal partner for our continued Baltic expansion.”
Boost Casino, known for its user-centric approach and cutting-edge platform, views the addition of SYNOT Games content as a key enhancement to its offering and a testament to its mission of hosting best-in-class gaming experiences.
Janis Bariss, Head of Gaming, Entain Baltics & Nordics at Boost Casino, said: “Teaming up with SYNOT Games is an exciting opportunity to enhance our content library with vibrant, engaging titles that truly connect with today’s audience players. Their blend of storytelling, striking visuals, and proven game performance perfectly complements our vision for the future of digital gaming in Estonia.”
This collaboration not only empowers Boost Casino to further differentiate its portfolio but also underscores SYNOT Games’ long-term commitment to regulated growth, responsible gaming and working exclusively with trusted local operators—a model increasingly valued by players and regulators.
The post SYNOT Games Announces Strategic Partnership with Boost Casino appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
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