Sports betting in Latvia is legal only with bookmakers holding a licence from the State Revenue Service of Latvia (VID). From 1 April 2026, VID assumed all functions of the former regulator — the Lotteries and Gambling Supervisory Inspection. The list of licensed operators is published on the VID website; placing bets on sites without such a licence is prohibited by Latvian law.

International bookmakers operate under offshore licences and do not hold VID authorisation. This means that participating in their betting formally violates Latvian law, the site may be blocked, the bank may decline the payment, and regulatory protection does not apply on such platforms. Below are the criteria by which we assess bookmakers and the factors important when choosing a betting platform.

Legal Bookmakers in Latvia

In Latvia, only operators with a VID licence to organise gambling may accept sports bets. A company may obtain a licence by submitting to VID the betting acceptance rules, a certificate of account with a bank registered in Latvia, and information about the betting acceptance system with its certification. VID maintains a public register of licensed organisers.

A licensed bookmaker must verify the player's age — betting is permitted from 18 years. If a person is entered in the VID register of self-excluded persons, the operator may not accept bets from them. Winnings are paid to the same bank account from which the player deposited funds.

The betting tax is 15% and is paid by the operator, not the player. Advertising of bookmaking services in Latvia is prohibited outside betting acceptance locations; from 2026, a narrow exception applies for trademarks of licensed operators in sports broadcasts and at stadiums.

Participating in betting on a site without a VID licence carries a fine of €70 to €350 for an individual. VID regularly blocks domains of unlicensed operators; the list of blocked sites is published on the service's portal.

International Bookmakers

Bookmakers in our ranking operate under offshore licences — most commonly a Curaçao licence or another jurisdiction. These companies do not hold VID authorisation in Latvia, so their legal status in Latvia is ambiguous.

Risks of international platforms:

• Access to the site may be blocked by VID at any time.
• The bank may decline a payment to an unlicensed bookmaker.
• Self-exclusion through the VID register does not extend to such sites.
• Disputes with the operator are resolved under the law of the country where the company is registered; the Latvian regulator will not provide assistance.
• Formally, participating in betting violates the Latvian Gambling Law.

International bookmakers offer a wider range of events and variety of markets than local operators, but the player assumes legal and financial risks. The bookmaker's details and licence are indicated at the bottom of its site — verify independently before registering.

Criteria for Choosing a Bookmaker

Licence and Reliability

The first thing to consider is the presence of a licence and the issuing authority. A VID licence provides legal certainty in Latvia; an offshore licence (Curaçao, Malta, Gibraltar) indicates that the company is registered outside Latvia and is subject to different rules.

Check the operator's details at the bottom of the site: legal entity name, registered address, licence number. If the information is hidden or contradictory, this is cause for concern.

Range and Odds

Range refers to the list of events on which the bookmaker accepts bets. The breadth of range is determined by the number of sports, leagues and tournaments. The depth of range is the set of markets within a single match: outcome, total, handicap, player statistics, corners, cards and so on.

Odds show the potential winnings per unit stake. The higher the odds, all else being equal, the more favourable the conditions for the player. The bookmaker's margin is the difference between the fair probabilities of outcomes and those embedded in the odds; the lower the margin, the better for the player.

Compare odds on popular events across different operators. A difference of a few per cent over the long term affects the outcome.

Live Betting

Live betting means accepting bets during a match. Odds change depending on the course of play. The quality of the live section is determined by the speed of odds updates, the number of available markets in real time and the stability of the platform under load.

Some bookmakers stream matches directly on the site — convenient if you're betting in-play. Check whether streams are available for the sports that interest you.

Payment Methods

International bookmakers accept Visa and MasterCard cards, e-wallets Skrill, Neteller, MiFinity, bank transfers via Trustly and Rapid Transfer, Paysafecard vouchers and cryptocurrencies via the PayCryptos gateway.

The largest banks in Latvia are Swedbank, SEB, Citadele and Luminor. Cards from these banks can be linked to Apple Pay and Google Pay for mobile payments. Bear in mind that the bank may decline a payment to an unlicensed gambling site.

Fintech service Revolut (Lithuanian banking licence) and payment company Paysera are popular in Latvia and work with many international platforms. See the cashier of the specific bookmaker for the range of methods.

Bonuses and Promotions

Bookmakers offer first deposit bonuses, free bets, cashback and special promotions for major tournaments. Before activating a bonus, study the wagering conditions: minimum odds requirement, validity period, which types of bets count.

A bonus with strict conditions may prove less advantageous than a modest offer with simple rules. More detail on bonus types can be found in the bonuses section of the site.

Support and Interface

Check which languages the site is available in. International platforms usually support English and Russian; Latvian is less common. The interface should be clear: quick event search, convenient bet slip, readable odds.

Customer support is provided via chat, email or telephone. It is important that operators respond quickly and can resolve typical issues: deposit problems, account verification, bonus wagering rules.

Account Currency

Latvia's currency is the euro since 1 January 2014. Licensed Latvian bookmakers maintain player accounts in euros. International platforms may offer accounts in US dollars, cryptocurrencies (Bitcoin, Ethereum, Tether) and other currencies.

If the account is not opened in euros, the bookmaker's or payment system's exchange rate will be applied when depositing and withdrawing. The rate may be less favourable than the market rate, and this is a hidden commission. Clarify the conversion terms before registering.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is sports betting legal in Latvia?

Sports betting is legal with bookmakers holding a VID licence. Participating in betting on sites without such a licence violates the Latvian Gambling Law; the fine for an individual is €70 to €350. VID blocks domains of unlicensed operators.

How does a local bookmaker differ from an international one?

A local bookmaker holds a VID licence, complies with Latvian law, checks the register of self-excluded persons and transfers winnings to the same account from which funds were deposited. An international platform operates under an offshore licence, is not subject to VID oversight, may be blocked at any time, and disputes are resolved under the law of the company's country of registration.

What payment methods do bookmakers accept?

International bookmakers accept Visa and MasterCard cards, e-wallets Skrill, Neteller, MiFinity, bank transfers Trustly and Rapid Transfer, Paysafecard vouchers and cryptocurrencies. The range of methods depends on the specific operator — see the site cashier. Bear in mind that the bank may decline a payment to an unlicensed gambling site.

What is a bookmaker's margin?

Margin is the difference between the fair probabilities of event outcomes and those embedded in the bookmaker's odds. This is the operator's earnings. The lower the margin, the higher the odds and the more favourable the conditions for the player. Compare odds on the same event across different bookmakers.

How does the register of self-excluded persons work?

The register of self-excluded persons is maintained by VID. A person may prohibit themselves from participating in gambling, including sports betting, for a period from 12 months. Licensed operators must check the register and not accept bets from persons entered in it. The register does not extend to international sites without a VID licence.

Sports betting is permitted for persons over 18 years. Gamble responsibly. If you wish to restrict your access to gambling, use the register of self-excluded persons of the State Revenue Service of Latvia (VID).

Author: Jewgienij Ja. · Updated: 07.10.2026