News
Offline vs. Online Betting in Latvia: A Comparative Analysis

If you’re a betting enthusiast in Latvia, you have two options: offline or online betting. Both have their pros and cons, and choosing the right one can make a big difference in your overall experience. Offline betting is the traditional way of placing bets in a betting shop, while online betting is done remotely, via the internet, using a computer, tablet or phone. In this article, we’ll compare offline vs. online betting in Latvia, so you can make an informed decision.
When it comes to offline betting, you get to experience the thrill of placing bets in a physical location with a group of people. You can interact with other bettors, share tips and tricks, and enjoy the atmosphere of a betting shop. However, offline betting can be time-consuming and inconvenient, especially if you don’t live close to a betting shop. Additionally, you may have to deal with long lines, limited betting options, and strict opening hours.
On the other hand, online betting offers convenience and flexibility. You can place bets from anywhere, at any time, and have access to a wider range of betting options. Online betting also allows you to take advantage of bonuses and promotions, which can increase your chances of winning. However, online betting can be less social and less immersive than offline betting, and there is a risk of addiction and fraud.
Regulatory Landscape and Compliance
Latvian Gambling Laws
In Latvia, gambling is regulated by the Lotteries and Gambling Supervisory Inspection (IAUI). The IAUI is responsible for ensuring that all gambling activities in the country are legal and fair. The IAUI also issues licenses to operators who wish to offer gambling services in Latvia.
The Latvian gambling laws apply to both online and offline gambling. The IAUI has implemented strict regulations to ensure that all gambling activities are conducted in a safe and fair manner. These regulations cover areas such as player protection, responsible gambling, and anti-money laundering.
Online vs. Offline Regulation
The regulatory landscape for online and offline gambling in Latvia is quite similar. Both types of gambling must adhere to the same laws and regulations. However, there are some differences in the way that these regulations are enforced.
Offline gambling activities, such as land-based casinos and betting shops, are subject to regular inspections by the IAUI. These inspections are designed to ensure that the operators are complying with all relevant laws and regulations. The IAUI also has the power to revoke licenses if an operator is found to be in breach of these regulations.
Online gambling operators are also subject to strict regulations. They must obtain a license from the IAUI before they can offer their services to Latvian residents. The IAUI also monitors online gambling activities to ensure that they are being conducted in a fair and transparent manner.
In conclusion, the Latvian gambling laws apply to both online and offline gambling. The IAUI has implemented strict regulations to ensure that all gambling activities in the country are conducted in a safe and fair manner. Both types of gambling must adhere to the same laws and regulations, but there are some differences in the way that these regulations are enforced.
Consumer Preferences and Market Dynamics
Demographics of Bettors
When it comes to offline betting in Latvia, it is mostly popular among middle-aged men who prefer to place their bets in traditional brick-and-mortar betting shops. According to Statista, nearly 10% of U.S. adults who bet on online and in-person casino games did so at least once a week as of September 2021. However, in Latvia, the trend is towards online betting, with more and more people starting to prefer the convenience and accessibility of online betting platforms.
Technological Influence on Betting
The rise of technology has had a significant impact on the betting industry in Latvia. With the increasing availability of smartphones and mobile internet, more and more people are opting for online betting platforms that offer a seamless and user-friendly experience. In addition, online betting platforms offer a wider range of betting options and better odds compared to traditional betting shops. This has led to a decline in the popularity of offline betting in Latvia.
Economic Impact and Growth
The betting industry is a significant contributor to the Latvian economy, with both offline and online betting generating substantial revenue for the country. According to Statista, the global online sports betting market is expected to achieve a revenue of US$49.96bn by 2024, indicating an annual growth rate of 7.68% (CAGR 2024-2028). In Latvia, the growth of the online betting industry is expected to continue, with more and more people turning to online betting platforms.
Affiliate Announcements
XSOLLA PARTNER NETWORK ENHANCES DEVELOPER AND CREATOR EXPERIENCE IN MARKETING WITH NEW FEATURES AND DATA INSIGHTS

Xsolla, a leading global video game commerce company, introduces significant updates to the Xsolla Partner Network, an advanced affiliate marketing engine designed to connect game developers with content creators. These updates enhance the experience for both developers and creators by introducing new interaction tools, expanded data accessibility, and deeper integrations with the Xsolla Rainmaker platform.
The growing influence of content creators on platforms like YouTube, Twitch, and TikTok has reshaped game marketing strategies. Developers increasingly seek streamlined ways to discover, manage, and measure creator partnerships. The Xsolla Partner Network addresses this demand by providing an all-in-one solution for creating and scaling performance-based campaigns, now with added tools to enhance usability and campaign success.
New Xsolla Partner Network updates significantly benefit developers and creators, enhancing their ability to collaborate effectively and succeed in their goals.
For developers, the platform now offers:
- Enhanced search functionality to discover, compare, and invite creators who best align with campaign goals
- Detailed creator profiles with insights such as concurrent viewer metrics, games played, and campaign performance, enabling developers to make informed decisions
- Integration with Xsolla Rainmaker data from Twitch and YouTube Gaming, providing robust analytics like streamer views, follower counts, and game-specific performance data for data-driven decision-making
- Streamlined collaboration tools, including direct distribution of promo codes, tracking links, and game keys
- A flexible revenue share model, allowing developers to set customizable commission rates for creators driving successful transactions
Creators gain access to a comprehensive creator toolkit designed to simplify campaign management and accelerate growth. The redesigned interface provides intuitive tools and features that make managing campaigns, engaging audiences, and enhancing content creation easier. By removing the 50-subscriber minimum threshold, the platform is now accessible to micro creators, enabling them to kickstart their careers.
Additional features for creators include:
- Real-time performance tracking, offering insights into campaign results.
- User-friendly account navigation, simplifying platform usage.
- Opportunities to partner directly with game developers, helping creators grow their audience and monetize their work by driving sales for games and in-game content featured at Xsolla Mall.
- Creator sites at Xsolla Mall enable creators to resell digital content, showcase campaign details, collect donations, and share links to all social media platforms to increase visibility.
- Overlays, providing game-branded promotional graphics and animations for live streams to boost engagement and drive awareness.
- Chatbot is designed to share tracking links and promo codes in real-time chats during gameplay, reward viewers, and engage the community.
With these updates, the Xsolla Partner Network empowers developers and creators to collaborate seamlessly, unlocking new opportunities for success in the evolving landscape of game marketing.
“The Xsolla Partner Network has always been a powerful tool for developers to grow their games and for creators to monetize their passion,” said Chris Hewish, Chief Strategy Officer at Xsolla. “With these new features, we enable seamless collaboration between developers and creators, ensuring both can achieve their goals more effectively.”
Affiliate Announcements
QMRA Recognition by Google & Meta in Denmark – A Milestone for Compliance
QMRA has now been active for nearly a year, and we are proud to have welcomed many members who share our commitment to responsible affiliation. We continue to work towards becoming the leading compliance indicator for international affiliates.
Beyond compliance, we are expanding our efforts into advocacy. For example, in Finland, we have launched lobbying initiatives as the government considers restricting affiliate activities.
Most importantly, several QMRA members are actively seeking advertising licenses from Google and Meta in various jurisdictions. We are pleased to confirm that in Denmark, both platforms have recognized QMRA membership as a decisive factor in granting these licenses. This information has been directly communicated to us by our members.
This is a significant milestone for QMRA. It confirms that our compliance checks and the presence of the QMRA quality mark on an iGaming affiliate website are taken seriously by key industry players. Additionally, we know that in other markets, QMRA membership is already being considered in similar assessments.
We will continue to strengthen our position and expand our influence. Thank you for your continued support in upholding responsible affiliation standards.
Awards
iGB Affiliate Awards to recognise industry excellence and innovation across 20 categories

Businesses of all sizes active in the igaming affiliate industry are being invited to enter the annual iGB Affiliate Awards which will take place 3 July in parallel with iGB L!VE.
The deadline for submitting nominations is Friday 28 March 2025 with the shortlist expected in early May.
The Awards, which have become a must-attend celebration of the industry, will be presented at East London’s famous Art Deco Grade II-listed Troxy venue. Paying homage to its musical heritage, including staging performances by Liam Gallagher, Garbage, Morrissey, the Cure and Stereophonics as well as hosting the NME Awards, iGB Affiliate nominees and guests will enjoy an evening of Britpop-themed entertainment as they get to relive the cultural explosion of ‘Cool Britannia’.
Award categories comprise: Best Casino Affiliate, Best Sports Betting Affiliate, Best Bingo Affiliate, Best Poker Affiliate, Best Crypto Affiliate, Best Streaming Affiliate, Marketing Campaign of the Year, Affiliate Employer of the Year and Safer Gambling Initiative of the Year. Best Affiliate Manager, Affiliate Idol aka Lifetime Achievement Award. Best Affiliate Programme, Best Affiliate Network. Best Tech (NEW), Best Affiliate Management Platform (NEW), Best Digital Agency, Rising Star, Best Newcomer, Innovator of the Year and the publicly voted Game of the Year.
Widely regarded as constituting the most transparent and rigorous awards process in the industry, the iGB Affiliate Awards panel of external industry judges have been selected for their expertise on both the igaming affiliate sector and in specialist areas pertaining to individual awards, such as safer gambling.
Before joining the panel, judges are required to sign an NDA to keep all submitted information confidential and the winners’ names secret until the event has taken place. They are also obliged to declare all potential conflicts of interest prior to judging.
Naomi Barton, Global Porfolio Director responsible for iGB Events stated: “The decision to keep the iGB Affiliate Awards in London alongside the relocated iGB L!VE has been welcomed by the industry.
“The opportunity to experience the very best products and services on the iGB L!VE show floor during the day and then to celebrate the fantastic achievements of the igaming affiliate community amongst friends and colleagues at the Awards is a wonderful, once-in-a-year opportunity.”
She added: “Speaking with previous winners, being judged ‘best in class’ at what is the premier recognition platform for businesses of all sizes in the igaming affiliate industry demonstrates to current and future staff that you are a leading company, it helps attract talented employees and is a rich source of pride for the broader team.”
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