Casino Games

Latvian online casinos surprises players with its diversity and, as defined in Section 5 of the Law on Gambling and Lotteries, distinguishes eight different types of casino games:

Board Games

These games allow you to enjoy the atmosphere of a real casino, not only because of the wide range of online gambling games offered, but also because of the gaming, betting, and winning take place in real-time. An additional bonus – live casino games also have a live chat, where players can not only communicate with each other but also ask the dealer questions related to the game. The most popular board games in Latvia are poker, roulette, blackjack, and baccarat.

Roulette

In all its captivating forms—European, American, French, Immersive, Lightning, Speed—roulette is an integral part of both live and table game sections in online casinos. Yet, in Latvia, this iconic wheel of fortune hasn't quite captured the hearts of many local players. Consequently, our online casinos offer a carefully selected range that lacks variety.

Casino roulette is a game of chance based on three elements: a spinning wheel (divided into numbered and coloured pockets), a ball, and a playing field with a grid-layout table (indicating main betting options and their payout ratios). Players place bets on any of the table's boxes, aiming to correctly predict the outcome: specific numbers, red/black, even/odd, number groups. The dealer spins the wheel, tosses in the ball, and eventually, it lands in one of the pockets—the final resting spot of the ball determines the winning bet.

Blackjack

In Latvia, card games experienced their heyday during the collective farm era, becoming a significant part of our table game culture. Hence, it's no surprise that Blackjack, ranging from traditional Classic, European, Spanish 21 to modern iterations like Single Deck, Switch, Multi-hand, is one of the most visited sections in online casinos. Consequently, local platforms boast a rich variety of these games.

Blackjack is a card game versus the dealer, where the goal is to compare the point totals of card combinations (numbers, according to their face value; face cards – 10; ace – 1 or 11). A player aims to beat the dealer's hand with a higher-value hand, as close to the maximum of 21 points as possible, without exceeding it. At the start of the game, players are dealt two cards, after which they decide whether to request additional cards or stick with their current hand. The dealer has specific rules for these actions.

Poker

Online PvP poker is one of the most popular gambling games among Latvian players—a strategy-based multiplayer card game that can be played using comprehensive global networks. Local online casinos offer clients for networks like GGNetwork, PartyPoker, and iPoker, allowing players to join standard Cash games, Freeroll tournaments, satellite tournaments, Sit&Go tournaments, playing, for example, Texas Hold'em, Omaha, Pot Limit Omaha, Six Plus Hold'em, and even unique variants specific to these networks.

The aim of the poker game is to win the total chip pool or qualify for large-scale tournaments, either by obtaining the strongest hand according to the poker combination hierarchy or by using clever bluffing tactics to induce opponents to fold.

The rules may vary depending on the specific variant. A game is usually played in several rounds, during which all cards are gradually dealt. Depending on the situation, a player can choose to bet, raise the bet, match the bet, or fold.

Baccarat

Baccarat, often overshadowed by Blackjack, attracts Latvian players with its uncomplicated and quick gameplay. It's no wonder our gambling platforms predominantly offer the fast-play variants from the No Commission and Speed Baccarat collections.

Baccarat is a betting card game against the dealer (banker), based on predicting outcomes, then comparing the point totals of hands (numbers from 2 to 9, according to their face value; 10 and face cards – 0; ace – 1). Each hand initially receives two cards, and a third card in certain situations. A player's goal is to correctly guess the outcome of a given round, betting on the winner (whether the player's or banker's hand will be closer to the maximum of 9 points) or a tie.

Slot Machines

Iconic, simple and classic games. Slot machines were created decades ago to offer players games where they can bet and win real money. However, in order to play slot machines skillfully, it is necessary to study the rules and basic principles by which winning amounts are determined. Some of the most popular slots include Book of Ra, Book of Dead, Divine Fortune, and others.

Lotteries

Many people nowadays buy scratch-off lottery tickets with different number combinations. This group may also include dice games, betting, lotteries, bingo, telephone games, and even roulette, although in principle these are board games. These types of games are completely safe and the player relies entirely on luck. Lotteries are a way to win huge winnings with minimal investment.

Sports Betting and Bookmakers

In Latvia, sports betting is one of the most popular forms of gambling. Latvian sportsbooks offer various sports bets on the most popular events - football, hockey, basketball and other, less known sports. In Latvia, sports bets can be made both online and at in-person betting points, such as Olybet.

In Latvia, online gambling is supervised by the Lotteries and Gambling Supervisory Inspection. The main law that regulates gambling in Latvia is the Law on Gambling and Lotteries, which was issued in 2005, but came into force a year later - in 2006.

Each casino bonus may be specifically designed for a particular category or universally applicable, encompassing a unique set of rules.

Their function can be to insure against losses, extend sessions for free, allow risk-free testing of new games, and potentially provide additional chances for winning. Evaluate the pros and cons of each casino bonus, considering your gaming preferences and risk tolerance, to determine the most suitable promotion for your goals.

Best Real Money Casino Bonuses

 Free Spins

• Free spins are awarded with or without a deposit but usually include difficult-to-meet conditions, including wagering requirements. Casino free spins is a promotion in online casinos (ranging from about 5 to 250), which a player activates with a deposit by playing the allowed amount from the deposit (number of spins x specified bet limit), it is fully or partially refunded.

Deposit Bonuses

A promotion where a player is awarded a monetary bonus proportional (%) to their deposit, up to a specified amount. If an online casino (usually international) uses game weights as an addition to wagering requirements, then it's best to use them in slot machines—they typically contribute 100% of each bet made there to the accumulation of the wager amount. 

Example:

• Bonus 50% up to €100
• A player deposits €200.
•  Cash bonus: 50% x €200 = €100 (meets the limit specified in the promotion).
  

Cashback

A universally applicable bonus, with which an online casino returns a percentage of the net losses incurred over a certain time period (total period: sum of bets - sum of winnings). Usually offered in reward systems for regular customers, otherwise it is most applicable to the betting section. Such a nuanced service is practically not applicable to other bonuses.

Game Restrictions in Bonus Terms and Conditions

Most promotions apply only to specific games, events, or categories. It's a strategy to popularise certain products while ensuring casino profitability. 

Regarding foreign bonuses, the weight of gambling games should be considered. If a bonus is usable in different casino categories, then its percentage contribution to meeting wagering requirements will differ.

Although it will vary across different casinos and promotions, based on general industry practice, here are some general guidelines:

• Slot machines – 100%
• Live casino games – approximately from 10% to 20%
  
• Table game simulators (e.g., Roulette, Blackjack) – approximately from 10% to 25%
  
• Video poker – approximately from 0% to 10%
  

While the average Latvian gambler recognizes the pros offered by international casinos, most are still sceptical about the effectiveness of international regulatory authority licences, especially regarding the protection of player interests.

Just like Lotteries and Gambling Supervision Inspection, regulators in jurisdictions like the Malta Gaming Authority and Curaçao Gaming Control Board perform the same functions:

• issue, deny, revoke, and annul licences;
• conduct control audits and supervisory measures;
  
• perform on-site and technical inspections;
  
• initiate or prosecute cases related to legal norm violations;
  
• ensure that operators inform players about responsible gaming and related solutions.
  

However, their global recognition, proven long-term experience and achievements, and significant role in shaping industry standards/norms far exceed the capabilities and influence of a local licensor.

Moreover, their licensed international casinos surpass local offerings with a much more diverse range of services* and next-generation entertainment, more flexible and lucrative promotions, anonymous payment methods, and accordingly, duty-free winnings.

* Gambling fairness and compliance with regulatory standards in foreign casinos is periodically verified by independent testing laboratories, such as eCOGRA, iTech Labs, and GLI. As proof of ethical practice adherence, the lab issues a seal. This, along with licence information, is always indicated at the bottom of each casino website.

Visitors can easily verify the authenticity of both the seal and the licence on the official authority websites.

Operators often choose to obtain a licence in the aforementioned jurisdictions because, primarily, their administrations: 

• issue globally recognized permits, providing access to the international customer base;
• offer a more favourable corporate tax regime;
  
• are more lenient regarding customer attraction initiatives;
  
• open up broader partnership opportunities with game and service providers.
  

Many online casinos offer the opportunity to try internet gambling for free, thus getting to know the slot machines and feeling the "taste of the game". These free games give the casino player the opportunity to familiarize himself with the casino's offer, understand how online gambling works and learn the rules of the games.

The computer is not the only device that provides online gambling today. You can also enjoy casino atmosphere on your phone and tablet. It doesn't matter where you are - if you want to kill boredom by playing poker, blackjack or any slot machine, you can do it at any time. All you need is a phone with a charged battery and a stable internet connection.

Just like playing on a computer or tablet, you can take advantage of both free and paid games on your mobile phone.

Te īpaši jāatzīmē, ka daudzi kazino mūsdienās piedāvā speciāli kazino mobilās versijas lietotājiem paredzētus kazino bonusus, un tas ir vēl viens iemesls to izmēģināt.