Latvia is targeting both unauthorized online gambling operators and their local customers following amendments to the country’s gambling laws.

Earlier this month, Latvia’s parliament (Saeima) approved amendments to the nation’s gambling laws to limit its citizens’ ability to access to internationally licensed online gambling operators. Going forward, banks are prohibited from processing payments between Latvian punters and sites not approved to operate in the country.

Financial institutions and internet service providers (ISPs) will also be required to forward the names of Latvian citizens who attempt to transact with unauthorized gambling sites. Individuals caught attempting to commit such heinous acts will henceforth face administrative fines of up to €350 per incident. Gamblers couuld face additional punishment for avoiding taxation on their winnings (currently 23% on any sum over €3k).

The amendments also require ISPs to more fully comply with orders to block unauthorized gambling domains. To date, the Lotteries and Gambling Supervisory Inspection of Latvia has blacklisted over 1,500 gambling domains, but local media reported that ISPs have blocked less than one-third of these rogues.