Latvia: Riga City government to close all gaming venues

The Riga City Council's Public Relations Department has spoken with LETA about the city's government plans to close all gaming venues in Riga, both in downtown and in the neighborhoods.

Riga Mayor Nils Usakovs (Harmony) told the municipality's Legal Affairs Department and Urban Development Department to draft a Riga City Council decree revoking all gaming venues' licenses in Riga, except those located in four- and five-star hotels.

According to the Law on Gambling, if the operation of gambling on the particular premises creates a substantial impairment to the interests of the State and the residents of the respective administrative area, the city or the local government council is entitled to terminate the permit to establish a casino, a gambling hall, a bingo hall, a betting or a wagering shop and to operate the respective type of gambling on the particular premises, by means of a reasoned decision.

"This is one task that we have to accomplish. We made the first step in 2017 when we banned gaming venues in the historical center of the city. At the same time, it is clear that the problem of gambling is the worst in the neighborhoods of Riga. That is why the municipality has to do everything in its power to finally make Riga a city completely free of gambling," said Usakovs.

The Riga City Council's Security, Order and Corruption Prevention Committee will review the proposal on Thursday, March 21.