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Slots
Roulette
Cards
Videopoker
Blackjack
Live Roulette
Slots
Roulette
Cards
Videopoker
Blackjack
Live Roulette
Slots
Roulette
Cards
Videopoker
Blackjack
Live Roulette
Slots
Roulette
Cards
Videopoker
Blackjack
Live Roulette
Gambling Games in Estonia
Land-based and online casinos games in Estonia are plenty in number and produced by various manufacturers. The portfolio of the largest developers has several slots that are in great demand among Estonian users:
- IGT: Cleopatra, Noah's Ark and Kitty Glitter
- Greentube: Book of Ra (including Book of Ra Deluxe 6), Lucky Lady's Charm Deluxe, Pharaoh's Tomb and Sizzling Hot
- EGT (Amusnet): 40 Shining Crown, Royal Secrets and the Burning Hot series
- WMS (now Light & Wonder): Zeus III, Crystal Forest and Raging Rhino
- Ainsworth: Flying Horse, Eagle Bucks and Mustang Money
- Products of other companies (Playtech, Pragmatic Play, NetEnt, Evolution Gaming)
Greentube slot machines are very popular in Estonia: classic Greentube titles such as Book of Ra and Lucky Lady's Charm remain among the most played games, alongside the fruit and “hot” slots of EGT and modern video slots by Pragmatic Play. Playtech slots are also in demand. The main office of the manufacturer is located on the Isle of Man. A branch office of the company operates in Estonia, where Playtech was originally founded.
Gambling Legislation
Gambling in Estonia must correspond to the following parameters: the participant of the game places bets, as a result of the game, one or more players can receive a prize the amount of which depends on the bets placed and the outcome of the game depends on chance. Gambling legislation, accordance with the Gambling Act, provides these definitions include casino table games, slot machines, lotteries and sports betting. All these types of gambling services are provided only if the operator has obtained a license. The organisation of gambling requires paying large taxes. Legislation of Estonia distinguishes the following types of legal gambling: games of chance (games the outcome of which is determined randomly or using a random number generator), lotteries, sweepstake (sports betting) and skill-based games (those where the result depends on players' skills and knowledge of the rules). Games of chance are table games and slots. Lotteries are private and public draws. Sports betting and betting on all sorts of events are also available. Skill-based games are games played on a mechanical or electronic device, the outcome of which depends predominantly on the physical skills, abilities or knowledge of the player; roulette, poker and other card games are classed as games of chance.
Gambling regulators and laws
Regulation of the gambling market in Estonia is handled by the Estonian Tax and Customs Board of the Ministry of Finance. This body is engaged in issuing licenses in accordance with the main document regulating gambling — Gambling Act. The law tells in detail what kind of entertainment is considered gambling and what kind of permits the entrepreneur must get to organise a gambling business. The state keeps the exclusive right to organise lotteries: a lottery with a prize pool of more than 1,000 EUR may only be organised by a company whose shares are all held by the Estonian state (Eesti Loto). Licenses and permits issued to private companies delegate the right to organise other types of gambling. The first law in the field of gambling was published in 1994. It addressed issues on organising lotteries. The law on taxation of companies providing gambling services was adopted at the same time. A year later the Gambling Act appeared. It established the legal basis for conducting other gambling games (games of chance, sweepstakes, skill-based games). Since 1995, the Gambling Act has become the main document regulating the activities of gaming companies. Since its adoption, it has undergone a number of changes and amendments that tighten control over operators. The current Gambling Act was passed on 15 October 2008 and entered into force on 1 January 2009, replacing the earlier gambling and lottery laws. Later milestones include:
- 2010–2011 – licensed remote (online) gambling was introduced, and access to the websites of unlicensed operators started to be blocked.
- 2012 – the rules on remote gambling, poker tournaments and gaming on ships were revised (in force from 1 June 2012).
- 2025 – remote gambling was taxed at 6% of the amount received from bets less prizes.
- 2026 – the rate for totos, poker tournaments and remote games of skill was reduced to 5.5%.
Online gambling in Estonia
Internet casinos in Estonia are allowed. All online gambling games licensed in the country are available on online portals. Operators of gambling websites are required to provide information on how to protect personal data and user transactions. Also, it is necessary to prove that methods of deposit and withdrawal of funds from the casino account are safe. An operator of remote gambling needs a separate operating permit, which is granted for up to five years (up to 20 years for a toto), and its record-keeping system must be connected to the information system of the Estonian Tax and Customs Board. The following users are allowed to play on online platforms: older than 21 - if an online casino specialises in games of chance and skill-based games, over 18 years old - sweepstakes and over 16 years - if a portal provides access to lottery.
Gambling Licensing
The license (activity licence) to organise gambling business in Estonia is issued to public or private limited companies registered in Estonia or another European Union country. In order to obtain a permit, the entrepreneur must provide a package of documents confirming his financial reliability. It is also necessary to prove the availability of technical and material resources for organising gambling. The list of documents includes:
- The list of founders of the company and copies of documents confirming the identity of the organisers
- Documents on the availability of technical and material resources - payments for rent and utilities, certificates of bank account
- A detailed business plan with a prognosis of expenses and profits
- Description of security features in a gambling institution or online platform, a description of the protocol for payments of the funds won
- Information about gambling games which are available in the casino - producers, game rules, a full list of names
- Application for a license
Only those applicants who meet the number of requirements can obtain a license. The company must be registered in Estonia or the European Union, and non-resident companies must register with the Estonian Tax and Customs Board as non-resident taxpayers. The operator cannot engage in any business except gambling. A private company must be financially independent. The share capital of the enterprise must be at least 1,000,000 EUR for games of chance, 130,000 EUR for totos and 25,000 EUR for games of skill. The package of documents and the application for a license are processed only after the state fee is paid. The fee is determined by the chosen sphere of gambling. The state fee for an activity licence is: the organization of gambling (a game of chance) - 47,940 EUR, Skilled-based games - 3,200 EUR and Sweepstakes (toto) - 31,960 EUR. The Estonian Tax and Customs Board decides on the application within four months of receiving all documents, but no later than six months after the application was filed. In addition to the license, applicants must obtain additional permission to organise gambling business. So, the activity licence is valid for an indefinite period, while a separate operating permit is issued for each type of game and each gaming location: a land-based permit is valid for the period approved by the local municipality, a remote gambling permit for up to five years. Permission is extended after the expiration. Only companies may organise gambling, and a separate activity licence is required for each type of game.
Development of Gambling Market in Estonia
In addition to branches of large companies, Estonia has its own companies. They develop gambling software or parts of software solutions for world-famous corporations. Such enterprises include: dervico - a studio created in 1996. The office of the company is located in Tallinn. The firm develops mobile applications and PC slots for Microgaming Foxium - a relatively young studio which appeared in 2015. Its early portfolio contained five slots. These are five-reel slot machines with a theoretical return to player of over 96%. They have all sorts of bonus features: free spins, bonus games, Wheel of Fortune with additional prizes. There are not that many Estonian national companies. However, the online gambling market is constantly evolving. This serves as a fertile ground for the creation and development of new studio developers. Despite the fact that gambling in Estonia is strictly regulated by the authorities, the legislative framework allows the gambling industry to actively develop. The state supports the organisation of new land-based casinos and online websites and taxes gambling enterprises. The funds received from casinos are invested into the development of culture and sport, the creation of social programs and financing medicine. In addition, Estonian players can refuse to play in land-based institutions and casino websites on their own. Any user can add himself to the black list if he feels addicted to gambling: the restriction is set in the e-MTA e-services environment for games of chance, totos and classical lotteries, and the player chooses a term of 6 to 36 months after which he may apply for deletion from the list. Today, most of the players in Estonia are foreign tourists.
Gambling business in Estonia is a stable source of government revenue. The country's budget is replenished through the acquisition of licenses and permits to provide gambling services. In addition, all games (depending on the type) are taxed. So, in 2026 operators pay 1,406 EUR per gambling table and 300 EUR per gambling machine per month, plus 10% of the amount received from bets on gambling machines less prizes. Owners of the license to organise lotteries give the state 22% of the ticket sales and operators of sweepstakes (totos) - 5.5% of bets less prizes; remote gambling was taxed at 6% in 2025. This money is used to develop the country's economy and is allocated to finance various cultural fields.
