Is online gambling legal in the Baltic?
Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania are liberal democracies with a rapidly rising standard of living and increasing integration with the rest of Europe. Since the dissolution of the Soviet Union, their economies have grown and become more sophisticated. Online gambling has been legalised in Estonia and Latvia since 2010 and later in Lithuania in 2016.
The three Baltic states have liberalised their laws on online gambling. Estonians, Latvians and Lithuanians can play online casinos in other countries. Canada and New Zealand have seen success in legalising the use of online casino games. The global online gaming community has been growing fast. The Baltic countries are working towards providing a modern well-regulated gambling environment. They are following the example of successful legal gambling countries across the world.
Latvia has five licensed land-based casinos and a growing gambling industry. Online casinos based overseas are strictly controlled through restrictions on processing financial interactions with Latvian players. Local players must pay local taxes on their winnings.
Estonia legalised online gambling in 2010. The industry is regulated by the Ministry of Finance and Customs. Offshore operators need a license where they are based. All online players and sports betters must be 21 years of age. Estonians are allowed to play lotteries from the age of 16.
Lithuania has more than a dozen land-based casinos and an online gambling industry. The law allows international online casinos to operate in Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania. The home- and overseas online industry is booming across the region. Both industry experts and online gamers expect the online gaming industry to increase and offer more to the players in the Baltic States.