Poker in Latvia: A Guide for Players in 2026

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Is poker legal in Latvia in 2026?

Poker is legal in Latvia, although the rules vary depending on the format. Briefly, there are three options, each with its own status and rules. 

• Live poker at a licensed casino is completely legal. Casinos operate under the supervision of the local regulator, and the rules are transparent.
• Online poker through a local operator is also legal, provided that the operator has a Latvian interactive gambling license. Such operators are few and far between, as the requirements for entering the market are very strict.
• International poker rooms without a Latvian license – many of them are technically accessible from Latvia, but this does not make them legal under local law.

The main regulatory act is the Gambling and Lotteries Law (Azartspēļu un izložu likums). Poker is not specifically identified in the law; it falls under the categories of card games and interactive gambling. Organizing games without a license is prohibited.

The regulator in 2026 is the State Revenue Service of Latvia (VID - Valsts ieņēmumu dienests). As of April 1, 2026, the functions of the previous regulator, the Lotteries and Gambling Supervision Inspection (IAUI), were transferred to VID. The current register of licensed operators is published at vid.gov.lv.

A key point for players: the availability of a website from Latvia does not mean that the operator has a local license.

Are Poker Winnings Taxable in Latvia?

Gambling winnings in Latvia are tax-free as long as the total amount received during a tax year does not exceed €3,000. If your annual winnings surpass this threshold, tax is charged only on the portion above €3,000, regardless of any gambling-related expenses or losses.

According to the current rates of the Latvian State Revenue Service (VID), personal income tax is 25.5% on annual income up to €105,300 and 33% on income exceeding that amount.

Example: If a player wins €5,000 during the year, the first €3,000 is exempt from tax. The remaining €2,000 is taxable. At a 25.5% rate, the tax due would be €510.

Players who gamble regularly or generate substantial winnings should consult the VID directly for guidance on reporting requirements and tax return procedures.

Online poker in Latvia

Online poker is legal in Latvia and falls under the regulated category of interactive gambling. Players can access poker through locally licensed operators, including OlyBet, Optibet, and Betsafe.

To offer services legally, an operator should hold a Latvian gambling license. Such licenses are available only to companies registered in Latvia with a minimum paid-up share capital of €1.4 million. This requirement creates a relatively high barrier to entry and limits the number of operators in the market.

Legal rooms

A proven example of licensed online poker is OlyBet/GGPoker. OlyBet offers online poker through the GGPoker platform: olybet.lv/en/gg-poker.

• OlyBet/GGPoker is the most well-known online poker option in Latvia. OlyBet operates on the GGPoker platform and offers tournaments, cash games, and regular promotions. The same brand also organizes live series in Riga.
• Optibet is one of the largest Baltic operators with a Latvian license. The interface is in Latvian and Russian.
• Betsafe is an internationally licensed operator authorized throughout the Baltics. Poker is available through its own platform.

Offshore rooms

• CoinPoker is a cryptocurrency poker room operating since 2017. In March 2026, it launched a completely updated platform with a new client and an expanded game lineup: NLH, PLO4/5/6, All-In or Fold, and ShortDeck. Its primary audience are players who value anonymity and fast crypto transactions. Users receive daily 15% rakeback, cash drops, and additional payouts in leaderboards. It operates under a license from Anjuna (Comoros Islands).
• ACR Poker (Americas Cardroom) is one of the oldest offshore poker rooms and the flagship of the Winning Poker Network (WPN). It has been operating for over 20 years and welcomes players from all over the world, including Europe. The platform's biggest advantage is its strong tournament traffic: regular series with guarantees of up to $50 million, including the Online Super Series (OSS). It operates under a license from Curacao.
• BetOnline is the flagship room of the Chico Poker Network, operating since 2004. In addition to poker, it offers sports betting and a casino, attracting recreational players to the poker tables. It accepts players from most countries. Regular tournament series, including the Championship Online Poker Series (COPS) with guarantees of up to $3 million, are held. It operates under a Panamanian license.

A number of major international poker rooms are available to Latvian players, but without a Latvian license. This means they operate outside of local regulation, with all the attendant risks:

• Legal status. According to available information, fines for individuals can range from €70 to €350. However, there have been no recorded cases of actual fines being paid.
• Blocking. Unlicensed websites may be blocked by a decision of the regulator.
• Payments. Banks and payment systems may reject transactions to unlicensed websites.
• Disputes. Player protection through the local regulator is unavailable.

Where to play live poker in Latvia?

Live poker in Latvia is largely concentrated in Riga. The city's main venue is Olympic Voodoo Casino, located inside the Radisson Blu Latvija Hotel. As the largest poker room in the country, it hosts regular cash games and tournament events throughout the year.

Each spring, the venue welcomes OlyBet Showdown Riga, one of the most prominent poker festivals in the

• Baltic region. The Voodoo Spring series took place in March 2026:
• Dates: March 14–22, 2026.
• Program: Over 30 tournaments, cash games throughout the festival.
• Main Event: €1,100 buy-in, winner: Justas Vaičiulionis (Lithuania), who received €34,950 from a €150,100 prize pool, 158 entrants.
• NLH Championship €555: winner: Normunds Rumba (Latvia).
• Online satellites: €20 and €80, held through OlyBet Poker.

OlyBet regularly organizes live poker festivals across the Baltic region, with Riga serving as one of its key stages. As a result, players interested in live tournament poker should check the OlyBet and Olympic Casino websites regularly for the latest schedules, event announcements, and satellite opportunities.

Payment methods

Payment rules vary slightly depending on whether you play with a licensed operator or an offshore site.

Licensed rooms accept a similar set of methods:

• Bank cards (Visa, Mastercard).
• Bank transfers through local banks (Swedbank, SEB, Citadele, Luminor).
• Skrill and Neteller e-wallets.

OlyBet and Optibet also support Trustly, Revolut, and Paysera. Cryptocurrency is not supported by all three. The minimum deposit is about 10 euros, withdrawals to e-wallets are usually fast, and bank transfers are processed during business hours.

Offshore poker rooms present a different situation: 

• CoinPoker — primarily accepts cryptocurrencies (USDT, BTC, USDC). Bank cards and Apple/Google
• Pay are also available in some cases. Withdrawals are fast and without delays.
• ACR Poker — accepts Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies, as well as Luxon.
• BetOnline — Bitcoin, Ethereum, Litecoin, and other cryptocurrencies.

Verification (KYC) is an important part of the process. Licensed operators generally require players to complete identity verification before they can access the games, make deposits, or request withdrawals.

Offshore poker rooms tend to be more flexible. Players can usually register and deposit funds without immediate verification, although KYC checks are required before large withdrawals are processed.

Another point to keep in mind is that operators often have a rule that withdrawals can only be made using the same method used to make the deposit.

The best poker players from Latvia

• Aleksejs Ponakovs   — $42,250,086
• Vitalijs Zavorotnijs — $3,087,643
• Mihails Morozovs— $2,309,371
• Eduards Rakuss — $796,644
• Pavels Spirins — $778,673

Aleksejs Ponakovs is the absolute leader of the Latvian all-time money list with total live tournament winnings of over $42 million. Ponakovs is a three-time WSOP bracelet winner:

1. First bracelet — online (November 2021)
2. Second bracelet — WSOP Event #42 $100K High Roller (2022); beat Phil Ivey in the final
3. Third bracelet — Triton NLHE $100K Main Event at WSOP Paradise in the Bahamas (December 2025), $4,750,000 prize

The Latvian poker Olympus appears asymmetrical: Aleksejs Ponakovs is far ahead of everyone else. He is followed by several players who have also achieved notable results at the WSOP, WPT, and major European tournaments.

Responsible Gambling and Self-Exclusion

Latvia has a registry of self-excluded individuals. The minimum period is 12 months. Following the 2026 reform, responsibility for maintaining the registry was transferred to VID. 

Licensed operators are required to prevent users on the registry from playing, both online and in casinos.

If you wish to self-exclude, please contact your operator or VID directly.

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