The Baltic dialogue is mostly about filling a hole in the system that is already in place. Latvian authorities have long complained about it: the restriction tools that countries have don’t apply abroad. Recent industry coverage indicates that this particular issue is again on the table, although no official announcement regarding the launch date has been made.
Latvia’s own self-exclusion register is a significant legal obstacle to begin with. This register, run by the Lotteries and Gambling Supervision Inspectorate, covers all forms of gambling and interactive lotteries subject to regulation in Latvia. The minimum period of self-exclusion is 12 months. Official Latvian documents have also referred to research carried out by the Health Ministry showing that 6% of the population is at risk of gambling addiction.
Latvia’s Broader Tightening Agenda
This cross-border register notion is part of a broader Latvian effort to strengthen control of gaming activities. In the policy guidelines for the 2021-2027 period, the Latvian government introduced 47 measures intended to mitigate the risks of gaming and lottery activities. These plans also included the possibility of increasing the legal age for gaming to 21 years, restricting the 24/7 availability of gaming halls, and banning people with debt for alimony from gaming.
This path is not over yet. In August 2024, the Latvian government approved draft amendments to the Law on Gambling and Lotteries. These would raise the age limit for gambling from 18 to 21, impose stricter age restrictions for lotteries, make gambling venue facades less conspicuous, and increase the number of tools used to detect risky behavior. The amendments, however, had to pass through parliament, but it was clear that Latvia wanted to minimize exposure.
What the Region Should Watch
If the Baltic states are able to synchronize, the change could be functional, and a self-exclusion request wouldn’t be voided at the next border crossing. That would also encourage a more integrated approach to compliance, rather than the current three separate approaches based upon country of operation. The outstanding issue, however, is timing, since the latest reports suggest that discussions are ongoing, but a schedule has yet to be determined.
The larger point is that the Baltics seem to be shifting away from the idea that self-exclusion is only a national instrument. If the ban can be avoided with a simple car drive, then the policy is not complete.
