The municipality has developed new binding regulations that will determine the territories in which the organization of gambling will be prohibited. Rīga Mayor Vilnis Ķirsis (“ew Unity) said at a press conference that the main goal of the binding regulations is to make Riga gambling-free.
However, the plan is not in fact a blanket ban, though it stipulates that gambling is only possible in a few small areas.
Gambling will not be allowed to be organized in municipal real estate, neighborhood centers, cultural monuments and their territories, their protective zones, and in the building protection territories specified in the Riga spatial plan.
It is planned to impose a ban on the organization of gambling in the territories of educational institutions, within a distance of 300 meters from them, at railway stations, bus stations, airports and passenger ports, as well as within a distance of 500 meters from them, 300 meters from public transport stops, as well as in the territories of detached houses, low-rise and multi-storey residential buildings and within a distance of 300 meters from the borders of these zones.
Taking into account the planned restrictions, the organization of gambling would only possible in certain small areas, though these would likely include the airport.
As Ķirsis said, the new binding regulations are planned to be adopted in March. However, decisions on the closure of specific gambling halls will most likely have to be made at the next council meeting.
Driving gambling underground?
Juris Celmārs, Chairman of the Board of Olympic Casino Latvia Ltd., claims that the planned restrictions could promote the development of a new niche of the shadow economy – unregulated, illegal gambling halls which would not generate any tax revenue.
“By preventing a legal and strictly supervised industry from operating, illegal places will begin to satisfy consumer demand,” said Celmārs.
The Latvian Interactive Gambling Association (LIAB) said that decisions must be proportionate and legal, otherwise the industry will be forced to go to court to defend its rights. There have already been lengthy legal battles over the matter.
“As a result, the industry’s losses and legal expenses may have to be compensated from the city budget,” LIAB representatives warned.
It is possible there is also an element of pre-electioneering posturing to the latest proposals with parties jostling to appear tough on gambling. More than five years ago the city council also said it was shutting down gambling in Rīga – though high rollers in upscale casinos have generally been exempt from the restrictions which have instead targeted smaller neighborhood gambling halls.
More than seven years ago, similar things were also being said.