Latvia's abrupt gambling tax hike threatens dozens of casinos and betting shops
The Latvian government has brought forward a planned rise in gambling taxes by a full year. The changes, set to begin on 1 January 2026, will push up costs for casinos, betting shops, and online operators. Industry leaders warn the move could force dozens of venues to close within months.
Under the new rules, annual charges for roulette, card, and dice tables will jump from β¬33,696 to β¬40,440. Slot machine taxes will also rise, climbing from β¬6,204 to β¬7,440 per year. Revenue-based levies on telephone betting, online gambling, and bingo will increase as well.
The Latvian Lotteries and Gambling Supervisory Inspection (LLAB) has strongly criticised the decision. It predicts over 20 gaming halls and at least 10 tables will shut down in 2026 as a result. The group also highlighted a 12% drop in land-based slot machine income during the first half of 2025, suggesting the sector is already under pressure. Government officials, however, expect the tax hike to bring in an extra β¬9.2 million. The move comes as Latvia's gambling industry has shrunk dramatically over two decades, with more than 70% of gaming halls disappearing since the early 2000s.
The tax increases will now take effect in January 2026, a year earlier than originally planned. Operators face higher costs across all gambling formats, from physical casinos to online platforms. The government's revenue forecast contrasts sharply with industry warnings of closures and further decline.
