Gambling Activities in Estonia

 

The Gambling Law of 1995 is the main law regulating several types of gambling activities in Estonia. Over the years, the act was altered and modernized, so that now it requires businesses in this field to apply for specific licenses.

 

 

Below, our local consultants explain how to obtain a gambling or casino license in Estonia. Our agents are at your service with support in filing for it.

 

Types of gambling activities in Estonia

1. games of chance which are those in which the outcome is determined by chance and which are played using a mechanical, electronic, or game organizer-mediated technology;
2. lotteries, which are games where the results are determined by chance, the prize pool makes up to 80% of the cost of circulating lottery tickets;
3. totalizers in which the winning of a prize depends on whether the bet turns out to be true or not, and the amount of the prize depends on the amount of the bet and the winning coefficient determined before the making of the bet (betting) or percentage of the total amount of the bets as determined;
4. games of skill are those that are played using a mechanical or electronic device and in which the winner is mostly determined by the player's physical talents, abilities, or knowledge.

• - games played at gaming tables and on gaming machines;
• - games whose results are decided by an electrical, mechanical, or electromechanical equipment designed or adapted for the conduct of gambling, or by the assistance of the game's organizer;
• - other games of chance.

• - classical lotteries;
• - instant lotteries.

 

The Estonian Gambling Act and the Gambling Tax Act are two legislative documents used to regulate the gambling industry in the country. They were preceded by other laws like the Lotteries Act. The Gambling Tax Act regulates the Estonian taxes imposed on those who organize gambling activities.

 

The gambling tax in Estonia is imposed on:
 

 

Gambling operators in Estonia are subject to the same taxation principles and they must submit gambling tax returns. Our company formation specialists in Estonia can help you submit these necessary tax returns to the Tax and Customs Board.

 

 

In order to open a company in Estonia that operates in the gambling field, the investor needs to obtain a gambling licence. This is mandatory both for companies incorporated in Estonia as well as for branches or subsidiaries of EU or non-EU companies. The necessary licenses are the activity license and the operating license. The Tax and Customs Board in Estonia is the authority that receives the applications for these types of licenses.

 

How to obtain an Estonia-based gambling license

• - organizers of sports competition;
• - lottery with prize pool under EUR 1,000;
• - commercial lottery with prize pool under EUR 10,000;
• - game of skill when the only reward is the chance to play again.

• - applying for an activity permit to confirm its eligibility;
• - submit an organization licensing application for each of its gaming locations.

Licensing fees in Estonia

 

• - providers of games of chance must pay EUR 47,940;
• - toto providers must pay EUR 31,960;
• - suppliers of games of skill received EUR 3,200.

 

The gambling market in Estonia 

 

For more information about the fees for gambling licenses as well as other requirements for these types of companies you can contact our company registration consultants in Estonia.