Baltics

All Gambling Halls in Riga Threatened with Closure – Industry Raises Alarm

Published

6 months ago

August 29, 2025

all-gambling-halls-in-riga-threatened-with-closure-–-industry-raises-alarm

Reading Time: 3 minutes

Following applications by three companies, the Constitutional Court (CC) has initiated a case concerning restrictions on gambling operations in Riga, the court announced.

This is not the first time the issue of gambling regulation in Riga has reached the CC. Just last year, the court ruled in another case that a blanket ban on gambling across the entire administrative territory of Riga was unconstitutional. Afterwards, the city council promised to propose a new mechanism for restricting gambling. That mechanism is now also under review by the court.

The new case was initiated on the basis of applications by SIA Alfor, SIA Klondaika and SIA Olympic Casino Latvia regarding sections 2 and 3 of the Riga City Council’s binding regulations “On Restrictions of Gambling Operations in the Administrative Territory of Riga” adopted on the 26th of March.

The contested provisions define the places and areas in Riga where gambling is not allowed, as well as the municipality’s actions in cases where permits have already been issued for locations where gambling is now prohibited.

Gambling is prohibited in municipal-owned properties, neighbourhood centres, educational institution premises and within 300 meters of them, as well as in railway stations, bus stations, airports and passenger ports, within 500 meters of such transport hubs and within 300 meters of other public transport stops. Restrictions also apply to certain functional zones, cultural monuments and protected areas defined in Riga’s spatial plan. However, the restrictions do not apply to four- and five-star hotels.

In addition, the contested provisions stipulate the cancellation of previously issued permits if gambling takes place in prohibited areas, and that any issued permit automatically expires five years after the relevant Riga City Council decision comes into force.

The applicant companies, which hold permits to operate gambling halls in Riga, argue that although the contested rules define specific places and areas where gambling is prohibited, in practice they amount to a blanket ban on such business throughout the city.

They argue that the restrictions limit business activity and property rights, and violate the principles of legal certainty and legitimate expectations. Therefore, they claim the rules are inconsistent with Articles 1 and 105 of the Constitution.

Article 1 states that Latvia is an independent democratic republic. Article 105 provides that everyone has the right to property, that property must not be used against the public interest and that property rights may only be restricted by law.

The Constitutional Court has invited the Riga City Council to submit a written response by the 27th of October, outlining the facts and legal reasoning. The case preparation deadline is the 27th of January, 2026. The court will decide on the type and date of proceedings after preparation.

As previously reported by LETA, the new gambling restriction rules in Riga entered into force on the 1st of April.

A five-year transition period is provided for the cancellation of previously issued permits.

After adopting the rules, municipal officials admitted that all currently known gambling halls are located in areas where gambling will be banned, meaning the new regulations foresee the closure of all existing gambling halls in Riga.

At the same time, the municipality emphasized that the restrictions do not cover the entire city and do not affect operators’ rights to open or expand gambling facilities in four- and five-star hotels.

The council also claimed that the rules were developed based on Constitutional Court recommendations and the results of public consultations held in February this year.

The Latvian Licensed Gambling Association had already announced in the spring that it would most likely challenge the new restrictions in the Constitutional Court, arguing that they are “neither proportionate nor lawful.”

Source: bnn-news.com

The post All Gambling Halls in Riga Threatened with Closure – Industry Raises Alarm appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.

Baltics

HIPTHER Baltics Launches in Vilnius with Agenda Revealing Lithuania’s 2026 Regulatory Reset

Published

2 weeks ago

February 23, 2026

Wladimir P.

hipther-baltics-launches-in-vilnius-with-agenda-revealing-lithuania’s-2026-regulatory-reset

A new Baltic-focused conference era begins on 21 April 2026, uniting iGaming, fintech, compliance, and innovation leaders in Lithuania’s digital-first capital

HIPTHER officially announces the agenda for HIPTHER Baltics: Vilnius 2026, the inaugural event of its newly launched Baltic conference series, taking place 21 April 2026 at the Hilton Garden Inn Vilnius City Centre.

Marking the evolution of the landmark MARE BALTICUM Gaming & TECH Summit, the new HIPTHER Baltics format introduces targeted, country-focused gatherings designed to deliver deeper regulatory insight, stronger regional dialogue, and practical strategic value for decision-makers operating across gaming, fintech, and digital innovation.

At the heart of the Vilnius edition lies a defining theme: Lithuania’s Great Regulatory Reset — a decisive transition toward stricter supervision, strengthened compliance frameworks, and sustainable, quality-driven growth across financial services and iGaming.

Lithuania 2026: From Easy-Access Hub to Compliance-Driven Ecosystem

As Lithuania sharpens oversight across banking, fintech, blockchain, and gaming, the conference agenda explores four structural shifts shaping the market:

Banking: Cyber-resilience stress testing, the rise of specialised institutions, and a pivot toward sustainable profitability
Fintech: Account-to-account dominance, international B2B expansion, and the emergence of agentic AI beyond chatbot automation
Blockchain: Post-MiCA enforcement, strengthened AML leadership requirements, and institutional tokenisation of real-world assets
iGaming: Advertising restrictions, ISP blocking acceleration, and intensified identity and source-of-funds compliance

Together, these forces signal a new operational reality for regulated digital industries in the Baltics.

Agenda Highlights Across Two Strategic Stages

Stage 1 — Strategy, Compliance & Banking

Key discussions will include:

Regulators’ Panel: Bank of Lithuania and FNTT on MiCA transition and new iGaming ISP-blocking protocols
Banking Transformation: How credit unions and specialised banks challenge Nordic incumbents
Post-MiCA Survival: Maintaining VASP licensing under 2026 regulatory structures
iGaming Advertising Ban: Operator strategies in a zero-marketing environment
AML 2.0: Implementing enhanced source-of-wealth requirements for high-stakes players
Cross-Industry Debate: Can tokenisation solve transparency challenges between blockchain and iGaming?

Stage 2 — Innovation, Blockchain & iGaming Tech

Agentic AI in Fintech: From conversational tools to autonomous financial advisors
Tokenising the Real World: Real-estate and debt instruments on-chain in the Baltics
Next-Generation Payments: A2A integration across gaming and retail ecosystems
Digital Euro & CBDCs: Technical readiness for the European Central Bank’s 2026 roadmap

A Boutique Summit Built for Decision-Makers

HIPTHER Baltics: Vilnius 2026 will gather 100+ senior attendees, 30+ expert speakers, and 15+ key industry topics in a one-day, high-impact format combining:

High-level regulatory and industry panels
Curated networking among operators, fintech leaders, regulators, legal experts, and investors
A premium, centrally located boutique conference environment

The event is designed for iGaming operators, fintech and payment providers, compliance professionals, regulators, affiliates, startups, and regional investors seeking actionable intelligence in a rapidly tightening regulatory landscape.

From MARE BALTICUM Legacy to HIPTHER Baltics Future

Reflecting on the transition, Zoltán Tűndik, Co-Founder & Head of Business at HIPTHER, stated:

“Lithuania is entering one of the most defining regulatory transitions in its modern digital economy. With HIPTHER Baltics in Vilnius, we are creating a focused platform where regulators, financial institutions, fintech innovators, and iGaming leaders can engage in honest, high-level dialogue about what sustainable growth truly means in 2026 and beyond.”

With HIPTHER Baltics launching in Vilnius, the Baltic region enters a new phase of dialogue — closer to local markets, deeper in expertise, and stronger in cross-industry collaboration.

The journey begins in Vilnius on 21 April 2026.

The post HIPTHER Baltics Launches in Vilnius with Agenda Revealing Lithuania’s 2026 Regulatory Reset appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.

Amusnet

Amusnet Enters into Strategic Partnership with Twinsbet Arena in Vilnius, Lithuania

Published

2 weeks ago

February 23, 2026

Wladimir P.

amusnet-enters-into-strategic-partnership-with-twinsbet-arena-in-vilnius,-lithuania

Amusnet has expanded its international brand presence through a new strategic partnership with the landmark Twinsbet Arena in Vilnius, Lithuania.

As Lithuania’s largest and most established events venue, Twinsbet Arena hosts approximately 100 major concerts, sporting events and international productions annually. The partnership positions Amusnet within one of the country’s most prominent entertainment venues, reinforcing the company’s commitment to high-visibility, premium collaborations.

The agreement includes brand integration across the Arena environment and with one of the venue’s exclusive hospitality spaces, now operating as the Amusnet Lounge. The premium area offers guests dedicated access, refined hospitality services and exceptional views during live events, further associating the Amusnet brand with elevated audience experiences.

“The former Premium Lounge club will now operate as the ‘Amusnet Lounge’. Guests attending any event who purchase tickets in this club sector will enjoy additional benefits, including a dedicated entrance, complimentary cloakroom service, access to a unique hospitality space, premium snacks and beverages, and some of the best sightlines in the arena,” said Aneta Lauciuvienė, Head of Sales at Twinsbet Arena.

Ivo Georgiev, CEO of Amusnet, said: “Our partnership with Twinsbet Arena reflects Amusnet’s strategic vision to align with iconic venues and institutions that shape their national entertainment landscapes. This collaboration strengthens our brand presence in Lithuania and positions Amusnet at the heart of a venue that brings together global performers, premier sporting events, and diverse audiences. We view this as a long-term partnership built on shared ambition and sustained value creation.”

Through this strategic collaboration, Amusnet further strengthens its international brand positioning and deepens its presence in one of the Baltic region’s most dynamic markets.

The post Amusnet Enters into Strategic Partnership with Twinsbet Arena in Vilnius, Lithuania appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.

Baltic & Nordics Gaming Awards 2026

Nominations Now Open for the HIPTHER Baltic & Nordics Gaming Awards 2026

Published

2 weeks ago

February 20, 2026

Wladimir P.

nominations-now-open-for-the-hipther-baltic-&-nordics-gaming-awards-2026

Recognising Excellence Across the Baltics & Nordics

The spotlight is officially on!

HIPTHER has opened nominations for the Baltic & Nordics Gaming Awards 2026, the region’s defining celebration of innovation, leadership, and operational excellence across the gaming and technology ecosystem.

From pioneering operators and cutting-edge suppliers to infrastructure leaders and visionary individuals, the awards honour the companies and people shaping the future of regulated gaming across the Baltic and Nordic regions.

And this year, the journey culminates on a single stage.

Winners will be revealed on 2 June 2026 in Tallinn, during the prestigious Awards Ceremony & Closing Party of HIPTHER Baltic & Nordics: Tallinn — the grand finale of the HIPTHER Baltics 2026 conference series.

One region. One stage. One official awards night.

Key Dates to Remember

Nomination period: 18 February – 12 April 2026
Online voting session: 21 – 30 April 2026
Shortlist announcement: 5 May 2026
Final decision: 29 May 2026 – Secret Jury Vote
Winners announced: 2 June 2026 – Tallinn Awards Ceremony

Part of the HIPTHER Baltics 2026 Journey

The Awards form the grand finale of HIPTHER BALTICS 2026 – Three Capitals, One Vision, a high-level regional conference series exploring regulation, fintech, compliance, and innovation across three Baltic capitals:

Vilnius – 21 April 2026
iGaming Regulation & Fintech Integration
Riga – 11 May 2026
Cross-Border Compliance & Player Protection
Tallinn – 2 June 2026
Digital Governance & Startup Innovation
+ Baltic & Nordics Gaming Awards Ceremony

Together, the series delivers HIPTHER’s signature blend of policy insight, technological vision, and meaningful networking — culminating in the region’s most anticipated awards night.

Award Categories Across Six Industry Pillars

The 2026 edition features a comprehensive structure recognising excellence across:

Baltics – Operators
Nordics – Operators
Suppliers – Casino & Content
Suppliers – Sports & Odds
Connected & Infrastructure
Individual Industry Awards

This multi-layered approach ensures recognition not only for market leaders, but also for rising innovators, technology disruptors, and influential personalities driving the sector forward.

Why These Awards Matter

The Baltic and Nordic regions continue to stand at the forefront of regulation, digital governance, fintech integration, and responsible innovation in global gaming.

The HIPTHER Baltic & Nordics Gaming Awards serve as: