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.
The post Court Declares Rīga’s Ban on Gambling Unconstitutional appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
Anna Borisenkova
Stakelogic Live and Optibet Double Down on Live Casino with Branded Blackjack and Roulette Launches
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Stakelogic Live has reinforced its position in the Baltic market with the launch of exclusive branded live casino tables for Optibet, the leading sportsbook and casino brand in the region and part of global iGaming powerhouse Entain.
Following the successful rollout of Optibet-branded roulette and Optibet-branded blackjack, players in Latvia and Estonia can now enjoy both premium tables, which are now live via Pariplay’s Fusion aggregation platform.
Developed and streamed from Stakelogic Live’s state-of-the-art studio, both blackjack and roulette tables have been fully customised to reflect Optibet’s distinctive branding. Hosted by native-speaking professional dealers and filmed in high definition, the games offer an immersive environment tailored to Optibet’s local player base, combining high production values with seamless gameplay.
This partnership marks a continued strategic expansion for Stakelogic Live, which has rapidly become one of the most sought-after providers of branded and bespoke live casino environments in Europe.
Neil Tanti, Head of Sales at Stakelogic, said: “Optibet is a flagship brand across the Baltic states and we’re proud to bring their identity to life in the live casino space. This collaboration goes beyond adding tables to a lobby, it’s about creating an immersive branded universe that players can connect with. The launch is just the next step in what we expect to be a long and fruitful partnership.”
Anna Borisenkova, Head of Live Casino at Optibet, said: “Optibet has built its reputation on delivering premium gaming experiences with a strong local identity. Partnering with Stakelogic Live to create branded blackjack and roulette tables allows us to enrich that experience even further. These games reflect our brand and set the stage for a truly standout live casino offering across Latvia and Estonia.”
The post Stakelogic Live and Optibet Double Down on Live Casino with Branded Blackjack and Roulette Launches appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
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HIPTHER, the pioneering events organizer that first put the Baltics on the map for premium networking and learning in the iGaming and tech industries, is proud to announce the launch of HIPTHER Baltics: a new, expanded event format bringing three flagship conferences per year across Vilnius, Riga, and Tallinn.
Since 2018, HIPTHER has been at the forefront of industry development in the region with the event that became known as MARE BALTICUM Gaming & TECH Summit, rotating annually between the Baltic capitals. Now, as part of the events’ major rebranding and expansion, the Baltics receive dedicated focus through HIPTHER Baltics, offering professionals more opportunities than ever to connect, learn, and grow.
In 2026, HIPTHER Baltics will host three specialized events:
- HIPTHER Baltics: Vilnius – iGaming Regulation & Fintech Integration
21 April 2026 | Hilton Garden Inn Vilnius City Centre - HIPTHER Baltics: Riga – Cross-Border Compliance & Player Protection, Baltic Gaming Awards
12 May 2026 | Grand Hotel Kempinski Riga - HIPTHER Baltics: Tallinn – Digital Governance & Startup Innovation & Nordic Focus
2 June 2026 | Hilton Tallinn Park
Each conference will deliver premium learning and networking opportunities for stakeholders across iGaming, fintech, blockchain, AI, cybersecurity, and emerging tech sectors. Attendees can look forward to insightful panel discussions, interactive sessions, and unrivaled opportunities to build lasting connections.
Adding to the experience, each event will include:
- Day 0 Welcome Drinks – a relaxed pre-conference gathering to spark early connections.
- Closing Networking Party – a vibrant celebration designed to strengthen business relationships and collaborations.
- HIPTHER Academy – Launched in 2024, HIPTHER Academy is a structured learning platform embedded within conferences, empowering professionals with in-demand skills and recognized certifications in iGaming and Tech.
Zoltan Tündik, Co-Founder & Head of Business at HIPTHER, stated about HIPTHER Baltics 2026: “Transforming MARE BALTICUM into HIPTHER Baltics marks a huge evolution in how we serve the iGaming and tech ecosystems of the region. By expanding from one annual summit to three flagship events, we’re able to provide more tailored, jurisdiction-specific experiences that dive deeper into the most pressing topics, while continuing to foster the premium networking and knowledge-sharing our community expects”.
With HIPTHER Baltics, the future of iGaming and tech collaboration in the region is brighter than ever!
Learn more about HIPTHER Baltics & Get SUPER Early Bird Tickets Until 31 October 2025!
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CT Interactive has expanded its international footprint in Latvia with 60 newly certified games and a three-level jackpot tailored for the regulated iGaming market. This achievement underscores the company’s commitment to providing high-quality, engaging content.
“The certification in Latvia is an important step in our ongoing European expansion. We’re proud to introduce a diverse portfolio of games to this regulated market and to further strengthen our presence in the Baltic region,” said Martin Ivanov, COO at CT Interactive.
The newly certified portfolio includes 60 games, featuring top-performing titles that are part of CT Interactive’s three-level jackpot system — Hot Luck. Built on the principles of surprise and inclusivity, this jackpot system delivers a dynamic and rewarding experience for players of all types.
The Hot Luck Jackpot boosts player engagement with its three-level random rewards, making gameplay more exciting and unpredictable. Players can now enjoy popular titles like Win Storm, Wild Clover and Hot 7’s x2 with added thrill thanks to the Hot Luck Jackpot. These games have proven successful across multiple markets and maintain a loyal player base.
The portfolio also features new titles from CT Interactive’s Buy Bonus product line, based on popular games like Duck of Luck, Fruits & Sweets, Doctor Winstein and Nanook the White Ghost. These upgraded versions include one- or three-level Buy Bonus features for even more dynamic gameplay.
The post CT Interactive Expands its Certified Game Portfolio in Latvia appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
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