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It has been reported by industry media that Latvia’s parliament has decided to ban gambling halls throughout the country. The representatives of the political parties have stated that amendments are needed and that casinos can only be located in luxury hotels.
The representative of the Ministry of Finance, Yana Salminia, stated that the streamlining of the gambling business is already underway. Politicians and other interested parties can submit their proposals, the draft consideration was already completed.
Meanwhile, the country’s gambling revenue increased by 11.7 per cent compared with 2017 and amounted to 277.701 million euros, according to the Lotteries and Gambling Supervisory Inspection of the Republic of Latvia.
The total turnover of gambling operators in 2018 grew by 10.5 per cent to 293.467 million euros and the total estimated profit of these active 16 companies, amounts to 80.998 million euros in 2018, which is 18.5 per cent more than in 2017.
During the second edition of MARE BALTICUM Gaming Summit – The Baltic and Scandinavian Gaming Summit and Awards, which will take place in Vilnius on the 9th of May, Mrs. Signe Birne, Director of Lotteries and Gambling Supervisory Inspection of the Republic of Latvia, will join the “Focus on the Latvian and Estonian gambling industry” compliance panel discussion.
You can find more details about the Agenda here or you can register here!
About Signe Birne
Since 1993, Mrs.Birne has worked as Director of Securities department and Financial Market Policy department of the Ministry of Finance of the Republic of Latvia.
With the establishing of Lotteries and Gambling Supervisory Inspection in 1998, Mrs.Birne starts her career as Director of Inspection.
Mrs.Birne has been graduated from the University of Latvia, Finance and trade faculty – Master’s Degree in Economics and in 2001 she earned the Master’s degree in Social science.
Signe Birne has an in-depth understanding of organizational practice and theory as well as experience within the regulation of the Latvian gaming market – land-based and online, illegal online gambling and payment blocking.
Signe Birne is very active with her country point of view on developments of gaming business all around Europe since 2001 till 2009 she held a position as a member of the Executive Board of GREF, Gaming Regulators European Forum, and 2009 – 2012 she was a Chairman of the Executive Board of GREF.
Since 2012 Mrs.Birne participated as the Latvian representative in the European Commission’s Expert Group on Gambling Services, which provides the Commission with advice and expertise in relation to the preparation of policy initiatives and facilitates the exchange of regulatory experience and good practices between EU and the EEA Member States.
Make sure you take advantage of this unique opportunity of learning and networking with the gambling industry in the Baltic and Scandinavian region via the MARE BALTICUM Gaming platform which has been launched in 2018 and is committed to bringing together industry shareholders and government officials from the Baltic and Scandinavian region on a yearly base.
Browse the official event website here: www.marebalticumgaming.com
Source: European Gaming Industry News
