TITLE: Latvia's Cabinet of Ministers Amends Casino Visitor Registration Procedures
BODY:
On March 17, 2026, Latvia's Cabinet of Ministers adopted amendments to regulations governing casino visitor registration and data processing procedures. The amendments, published in the official gazette Latvijas Vēstnesis on March 24, 2026, modify the Cabinet of Ministers' September 19, 2006 regulations No. 771 on casino visitor registration.
The amendments introduce several operational changes to how casino visitor information is collected, processed, and shared with state authorities. Key modifications include clarifying that casino visitors are registered using information systems in compliance with personal data protection requirements. The regulations redefine the information compilation and submission process, requiring casino owners to compile visitor registration data monthly and submit it to the State Revenue Service (Valsts ieņēmumu dienests) on the first working day of each month.
The amendments specify the data categories to be reported for each casino visitor, including date and time of entry, visitor name, surname, and personal identification code, casino name and address, and casino owner details. The regulations establish that the State Revenue Service maintains a centralised casino visitor registry as a state information system and is responsible for data integrity, preventing unauthorised access, loss, or destruction. The State Revenue Service is authorised to share casino visit information with law enforcement and other institutions as prescribed by legislation.
The amended regulations become effective on April 1, 2026. The changes are issued under authority of Article 39, Section 6 of the Gambling and Lotteries Act (Azartspēļu un izložu likums).