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Court Declares Rīga’s Ban on Gambling Unconstitutional

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The Constitutional Court of Latvia said on April 4 that it had deemed the restriction on the organisation of gambling throughout Rīga unconstitutional, as the municipality has not justified why gambling is prohibited in the specific areas.

The case was brought before the Constitutional Court following applications by the gambling companies Olympic Casino Latvia Ltd, Alfor Ltd and Joker Ltd. They requested an assessment of the compliance of the Rīga spatial plan with Article 105 of the Constitution, which provides for the right to property that may be restricted only following the law. Compulsory expropriation of property for public needs is only allowed in exceptional cases on the basis of a separate law against fair compensation.

The contested norm provides, however, that the organisation of gambling and the provision of gambling services are prohibited in the entire administrative territory of Rīga, except where such gambling venues are located in four- or five-star hotels.

Six years ago, the Riga City Council decided to close down 42 gambling venues in the city centre, and last September it decided to cancel 139 permits for gambling venues outside the city centre. They must close within five years.

The Constitutional Court found that the organisation of gambling is a legal commercial activity existing in conditions of free competition.

The legislator has given the municipality the competence to assess independently which areas or territories of the municipality should be subject to restrictions on the organisation of gambling. The municipality is also entitled to designate an unlimited number of areas in the spatial plan where gambling is not allowed. However, the municipality must comply with the principle of territorial assessment laid down in the authorisation granted by the legislator.

The Constitutional Court found that the municipality had failed to state reasons why the organisation of gambling was prohibited in the functional zones of the spatial plan, where commercial activities were envisaged as one of the permitted uses of the territory.

In accordance with the principle of assessment of territories laid down in the Law on Gambling, the municipality must assess, for example, in the spatial planning process, the built-up area and the location of infrastructure facilities, the population density, the interests of residents and traders and other relevant aspects which may be the basis for imposing restrictions on the organisation of gambling.

No such assessment has been carried out by the municipality prior to the establishment of restrictions on gambling throughout the territory of Riga.

The Constitutional Court held that the restriction on fundamental rights contained in the contested norm was incompatible with Article 1 and the first, second and third sentences of Article 105 of the Constitution.

The post Court Declares Rīga’s Ban on Gambling Unconstitutional appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.

Baltics

Push Gaming levels up in Latvia and Estonia with OlyBet

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Push Gaming continues to grow in the Baltic region thanks to its latest commercial partnership with OlyBet.

The agreement with the number one gaming and entertainment brand in the Baltics now offers Push Gaming’s complete range of popular slots to players throughout Latvia and Estonia. Key titles from the Razor Shark and Retro series are now available, along with highly anticipated releases such as Wild Swarm Triple Hive and Bamboo Ways, due to launch soon.

Launching with OlyBet follows other recent European growth for Push Gaming in Bulgaria, Spain, and Serbia, and maintains Push Gaming’s ambitious strategy in regulated markets.

Andy Bentley, Chief Operating Officer at Push Gaming, said: “Having our content live with market leaders such as Olybet is a key pillar of our commercial strategy. OlyBet provides us with a fantastic partnership and a shared ambition to grow in both regions.

“We’re scaling our collaborations globally to meet player demand, and our thriving relationship with the leading brand in Latvia and Estonia is another important milestone in our progress.”

Tomas Graham, Chief Operations Officer at OlyBet, added: “The added strength of Push Gaming’s slots in our lobby is considerable, and we’re delighted to have them available for our players.

“It is essential for us to offer the best games available to ensure OlyBet provides the best experience possible and remains the first choice in entertainment across each market.”

The post Push Gaming levels up in Latvia and Estonia with OlyBet appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.

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Baltics

HIPTHER Joins Forces with Ace Alliance as Strategic Media Partner – Kicking Off with Ace Alliance Riga 2025

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HIPTHER proudly announces its Strategic Media Partnership with Ace Alliance, the dynamic iGaming media hub under the Revpanda Group. This new collaboration begins with the highly anticipated Ace Alliance Riga 2025, taking place on August 14–15 in the heart of the Baltics.

Ace Alliance has quickly emerged as a force in the iGaming community, connecting professionals through curated events and immersive experiences. HIPTHER, the parent brand behind several of Europe’s most respected media outlets and boutique conferences in Gaming and Technology, is excited to support and amplify Ace Alliance’s vision through its online media outlets.

 

Supporting Real Connections at Ace Alliance Riga 2025

Ace Alliance Riga 2025 is designed for real conversations, real experiences, and real growth. With over 500 iGaming professionals expected, this two-day summer getaway in Riga offers a refreshing approach to networking – blending business and leisure for lasting impact.

From a private Daugava River cruise and executive business brunch to guided cultural walks and legendary parties, VIP ticket holders are treated to high-value interactions in an unforgettable setting. Keynotes from respected industry voices like Alexandre Tomic will further fuel strategic thinking and innovation.

HIPTHER will actively support the visibility and promotion of Ace Alliance’s events – beginning with this Riga edition – across its expansive global media network. In return, Ace Alliance becomes an official Media Partner for HIPTHER’s lineup of exciting conferences.

Zoltán Tűndik, Co-Founder and Head of Business at HIPTHER, stated about the partnership: At HIPTHER, we thrive on identifying and supporting meaningful movements in the industry, and Ace Alliance is exactly that. Their community-first approach, creative event format, and focus on authentic connections make them a standout new player in the media and events space. We’re thrilled to support their growth and extend the experience to our audiences across Europe and beyond.”

 

Get Ready for a Summer to Remember

With limited VIP passes still available and sponsorship spots quickly filling up, now is the time to secure your place. Stay tuned to HIPTHER’s channels for upcoming announcements, featured stories, and an exclusive discount code for our audience.

Join the experience at Ace Alliance Riga 2025:
👉 https://acealliance.com/events/riga-2025/

Let the networking begin!

The post HIPTHER Joins Forces with Ace Alliance as Strategic Media Partner – Kicking Off with Ace Alliance Riga 2025 appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.

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Peter & Sons Launches Top Titles on NinjaCasino.se

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Content deal expands reach in Nordics and Baltics

Award-winning game studio Peter & Sons has bolstered its presence in the Nordics and Baltics via an eye-catching new content deal with Entain-owned NinjaCasino.se, a leading online casino brand in the region.

Peter & Sons’ unique and highly inventive portfolio of weird and wonderful slots is now live on NinjaCasino.se, including player favorites such Barbarossa Revenge, Ghostfather – Awakened, Boom Farm, Gunpowder, Wild Duel, Xibalba, Blood Club, Epic Hellas, Mutagenes, Evil Devil, Dungeon Tower & Potion Power.

Known for their hand-drawn animation style, original cinematic soundtracks, and unique gameplay mechanics, Peter & Sons’ games are some of the most strikingly original on the market today.

With an unwavering commitment to the “anti-boring,” the Maverick Barcelona-based studio builds games that dare to be different, with an emphasis on storytelling, audio-visual excellence and pure playability.

This milestone marks a significant step in Peter & Sons’ European growth strategy and further strengthens its relationship with Entain. The studio continues to expand its reach across regulated markets via strategic partnerships with tier-one operators.

Yann Bautista, Commercial Director and Founder at Peter & Sons said: “We’ve always strived to craft games that stand out not just visually, but in how they play and engage. Ninja Casino has always had a cool, edgy vibe, and that fits our style. This partnership gives us a fantastic opportunity to connect with a new audience that we believe will really appreciate what we do.”

Andreas Larsson, Casino Manager at Ninja Casino said: “We are always looking to enrich our games lobby with content that delivers something different. Peter & Sons is a studio we’ve admired from afar for some time. Their distinctive visual style, innovative game mechanics, and consistent production quality make them a standout developer in today’s crowded market.”

The post Peter & Sons Launches Top Titles on NinjaCasino.se appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.

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