Merchants often organize lotteries of goods and services to promote sales and attract new clients. Regulations for the lotteries are laid down in the Law On Lotteries of Goods and Services which states that a merchant i.e., manufacturer, distributor, seller of goods or services needs to apply for a permit to organize a lottery. Lotteries and Gambling Supervisory Inspection of Ministry of Finance ir responsible for issuance of the permits. The permit and the state fee are not necessary if the lottery‘s prize fund does not exceed 720 euro.
The Ministry of Finance is planning to amend soon the said law to include a new chapter on “Administrative liability in the field of organization of lotteries and competence in the application of penalties” indicating the competence for the application of penalties. At present, an administrative penalty for the violation of the law is provided in the Latvian Administrative Violations Code.
