This month, on 17 November in Latvia’s capital city Riga, Parliament passed a law that has proved to be so unpopular that the Prime Minister has offered to think again. The law granted the federal government the sole power to regulate gaming institutions, stripping from local municipalities all say in matters such as zoning. Latvia, in the Baltics, has some 48 listed casinos, over thirty of them in Riga.

Previously the Riga City Council had adopted restrictions on locations within the capital, in an attempt to limit gaming tables and slot machines to hotels. The government move has pleased operators but caused the Union of Regional Governments to protest to the President. With political maneuvering, the President’s hands have been tied so the law cannot be reviewed and accusations of corruption are starting to fly.

To many, the speed with which the law was passed, when the Municipal restrictions in Riga were about to bite, is suspect. The gaming industry in the capital is a very lucrative business. The federal government disagrees, pointing out that gambling regulations around the country change frequently depending on local political forces. The uproar that the passing of the law created, led to the 21 November announcement of the Latvian Prime Minister’s offer to reopen the law.

Riga is the place that the Christmas tree is said to have originated, as early as 1510 when the custom of decorating an evergreen tree was first documented. The celebration took place in Town Hall Square, centre of administration for the city. The present Municipality, as Christmas preparations once again unfold, will be pressing for the law to be amended to give them back zoning rights at least. (E-11.24.05)

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