Baltics
All Gambling Halls in Riga Threatened with Closure – Industry Raises Alarm
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
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Digitain has been recognised as Best Sportsbook Provider at the HIPTHER Baltic & Nordics Gaming Awards 2026, showcasing its continued commitment to delivering high-performance sportsbook technology for operators across regulated markets.
The HIPTHER Baltic & Nordics Gaming Awards celebrate the operators, suppliers, technology innovators and industry leaders shaping the gaming ecosystem across the Baltic and Nordic regions. Receiving this award reflects Digitain’s ongoing investment in product innovation, trading excellence and technology designed to support long-term operator success.
Digitain’s sportsbook combines proprietary trading, advanced risk management, flexible localisation and scalable infrastructure, enabling operators to deliver competitive betting experiences across diverse markets.
This recognition is shared with the operators who trust Digitain to power their businesses and with the teams across a company whose expertise continues to drive innovation across every product and market.
As Digitain continues to expand its global presence, their mission remains unchanged: empowering ambitious operators with technology built for performance, partnership, and sustainable growth.
The post Digitain Named Best Sportsbook Provider at HIPTHER Baltic & Nordics Gaming Awards 2026 appeared first on EE Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.
Comtrade Gaming, a leading iGaming platform provider delivering enterprise‑level technology for operators worldwide, announced a strategic partnership with 7bet to support the operator’s continued growth across Northern and Eastern Europe.
Under the agreement, 7bet will deploy Comtrade Gaming’s advanced iGaming platform to launch operations in Latvia and Estonia, as well as enter the newly regulated Finnish market upon its opening.
The partnership marks a significant milestone for both companies, combining 7bet’s strong regional presence with Comtrade Gaming’s proven platform capabilities, designed to deliver flexibility, compliance and high-performance player experiences.
Steven Valentine, Chief Commercial Officer at Comtrade Gaming, said: “We are delighted to partner with 7bet at such an exciting stage of their growth journey. This agreement reflects the strength and scalability of our iGaming platform, particularly in regulated and soon-to-regulate markets such as Finland. Supporting 7bet’s expansion across Latvia, Estonia, and Finland, highlights our ability to deliver seamless multi-market solutions for established operators who want to expand. We look forward to a long and successful collaboration.”
Justinas Sliazas, CEO of 7bet, said: “Partnering with Comtrade Gaming is a key step in our strategy to expand and strengthen our presence across regulated European markets. Their technology provides the flexibility and reliability we need to scale efficiently while maintaining a high-quality player experience. We are particularly excited about the opportunities in Finland and confident that this partnership positions us strongly for future growth.”
The collaboration underscores Comtrade Gaming’s continued momentum in regulated markets and reinforces its position as a trusted partner for ambitious operators seeking scalable, compliant and future-ready iGaming solutions.
The post Comtrade Gaming Announces Strategic Partnership with 7bet appeared first on EE Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.
Baltics
HIPTHER Baltics 2026 Concludes Landmark Three-City Series, Bringing Together 430 Industry Leaders
HIPTHER proudly concludes the inaugural edition of its expanded HIPTHER Baltics 2026 conference series, successfully bringing together a total of 430 participants across three dedicated events in Vilnius, Riga, and Tallinn.
Building on the legacy of the MARE BALTICUM Gaming & TECH Summit and introducing a new, country-focused format, HIPTHER Baltics 2026 delivered three high-impact conferences designed around the most pressing regulatory, technological, and business developments shaping the Baltic and Nordic regions. The series focused on creating meaningful dialogue between regulators, operators, fintech leaders, technology innovators, legal experts, investors, and compliance professionals.
The 2026 edition featured:
- HIPTHER Baltics: Vilnius – iGaming Regulation & Fintech Integration
- HIPTHER Baltics: Riga – Cross-Border Compliance & Player Protection
- HIPTHER Baltics & Nordics: Tallinn – Digital Governance & Startup Innovation
Vilnius: Exploring Lithuania’s Regulatory Transformation
The series launched on 21 April in Vilnius, where discussions focused on Lithuania’s evolving regulatory landscape and the increasing convergence of fintech, payments, blockchain, and iGaming.
Industry leaders examined topics including MiCA implementation, AML requirements, digital assets, banking transformation, tokenisation, AI adoption in financial services, next-generation payments, and the growing role of compliance in sustainable business growth. The event marked the beginning of a new chapter for Baltic-focused industry conversations and set the tone for the months ahead.
Riga: Regulation, Risk and Growth in a Changing Market
On 11 May, HIPTHER Baltics arrived in Riga, bringing together experts from gaming, fintech, legal, compliance, and technology sectors for a day dedicated to practical business realities.
Key conversations addressed responsible gaming, player protection, AML implementation, fraud prevention, AI in supervision and taxation, payments innovation, cross-border licensing, data protection, affiliate marketing, and the transition from traditional SEO to AI-powered discoverability. The Riga edition highlighted how businesses can remain compliant while continuing to innovate and grow in increasingly regulated environments.
Tallinn: Digital Governance Meets Innovation
The series concluded on 2 June in Tallinn, one of Europe’s most digitally advanced capitals.
The event explored the intersection of digital governance, startup ecosystems, digital identity, compliance, investment, fintech innovation, and iGaming. Discussions ranged from eIDAS 2.0 and trusted digital onboarding to sustainable player acquisition, operational partnerships, AI-powered business growth, and the future of digital societies.
Tallinn also hosted the HIPTHER Baltic & Nordics Gaming Awards 2026, celebrating excellence across operators, suppliers, technology providers, and industry leaders from the Baltic and Nordic regions.
Beyond Conferences: Building a Regional Community
Throughout all three events, participants benefited from curated networking opportunities and practical learning sessions through the HIPTHER Academy, HIPTHER’s educational platform focused on delivering hands-on skills, professional development, and industry certifications.
The combination of boutique-format events, high-level content, and meaningful networking once again demonstrated why the Baltics continue to attract increasing attention as a hub for innovation, regulation, and cross-border collaboration.
Looking Ahead – HIPTHER Baltics 2027
Reflecting on the success of the series, Zoltan Tündik, Co-Founder and Head of Business at HIPTHER, commented: “We are incredibly proud of what we achieved across the Baltics in 2026, but this is only the beginning. The success of the three-city series has provided us with valuable insights, feedback, and inspiration that we are already incorporating into the planning of HIPTHER Baltics 2027. The Baltics have a unique energy when it comes to business events, innovation, and networking, and we are excited to continue growing alongside this vibrant community. Our commitment remains the same: delivering meaningful conversations, practical learning opportunities, and exceptional networking experiences that bring together the region’s most influential stakeholders.”
After the successful completion of HIPTHER Baltics 2026 and the overwhelmingly positive feedback received from participants, the #hipthers team is already working on an exciting and enhanced next edition.
With the HIPTHER Warsaw Summit set to take place on 27–28 October 2026 and an ambitious roadmap for 2027–2030 already taking shape, HIPTHER continues its mission of connecting industries, markets, and ideas through premium learning, meaningful networking, and cross-border collaboration across Europe.
About HIPTHER
HIPTHER is a media hub and events organizer serving the Gaming and Technology industries, including Fintech, Blockchain, Crypto, AI, Cybersecurity, Compliance, and Digital Innovation. Through its conferences, media platforms, awards programs, and community initiatives, HIPTHER connects decision-makers, innovators, regulators, and business leaders across Europe and beyond.
The post HIPTHER Baltics 2026 Concludes Landmark Three-City Series, Bringing Together 430 Industry Leaders appeared first on EE Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.
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