Estonian Casino and Gambling Licence

Estonia regulates gambling through a licensing system, and remote (online) gambling can be organised from Estonia under an Estonian licence. Gambling licences in Estonia are issued by the Estonian Tax and Customs Board (Maksu- ja Tolliamet), which also supervises licensed operators.

This guide explains in general terms what an Estonian gambling licence allows, which types of gambling exist, what the main stages of the process are, and how we work with clients who want an Estonian casino or gambling company.

What an Estonian gambling licence allows

A licensed operator may organise the type of gambling that its licence covers, in the form covered (for example on-site or remote), under the conditions set by law and by the licence. Organising gambling without a licence is prohibited. The Estonian framework distinguishes between different types of gambling, such as:

games of chance, the typical casino games including slot-type games and table games;
betting, such as sports betting and totalisator betting;
games of skill, where the outcome depends at least partly on the player's skill;
lotteries, which have their own special rules.

Each type has its own requirements, and an operator that wants to offer several types needs a licence that covers each of them. Remote gambling, where players take part over the internet, is regulated as a form of organising gambling and requires its own compliance arrangements, for example for player identification, the technical systems and the protection of players.

In general, the Estonian system has two layers: a licence for the activity itself, and a separate licence for the operation of the specific gambling (for example a particular online platform). Both are applied for from the Tax and Customs Board.

Who needs a gambling licence

You need a licence if you want to organise gambling as a business, for example run an online casino, a sports betting platform or a poker room, or operate a land-based gaming venue in Estonia. Rules on serving players in other countries depend on those countries' own laws: an Estonian licence does not by itself make it lawful to offer gambling to players everywhere. That question must be considered separately for each target market.

The main stages of the process

The exact requirements are set by law and change over time. In general, preparing and obtaining an Estonian gambling licence involves:

Defining the offering. Which types of gambling, on-site or remote, for which markets, and on which technical platform.
The Estonian company. The operator is an Estonian company with the capital and structure required for gambling operators.
People and ownership. Owners, managers and key persons are assessed for their reliability; their background and the origin of funds must be documented.
Technical systems. The gambling software and the systems that record games, bets and player data must meet the requirements, including requirements on where and how data is kept and how the supervisor can access it.
Policies and procedures. Rules of the games, player identification and verification, measures against money laundering and terrorist financing, responsible gambling measures and internal control.
Application and review. The applications are submitted to the Estonian Tax and Customs Board, which reviews them and may request additional information before deciding. State fees are payable, and they depend on the type of licence.
Ongoing obligations. After licensing, the operator must pay gambling tax, report to the authorities, keep its systems compliant and keep its licences valid.

The time needed depends on the scope of the offering, the readiness of the technical platform and the authority's questions. We do not promise a fixed date.

How we work with you

The Estonian casino / gambling company is listed on our licensed and regulated companies page with a "from" price, so it is quoted individually.

Fill in the quote request form: choose "Estonian casino / gambling company", describe the planned activity (types of gambling, remote or on-site, target markets, platform), the ownership structure and the desired timeline, and add your contact details.
We review the information and reply by email with a quote that states what is included.
No work starts and no payment is taken before you have received and accepted the quote.

State fees are not included in our prices and are charged separately.
The licensing decision is made by the Estonian Tax and Customs Board. We cannot guarantee that a licence will be granted, or when.
We are licensed by the Estonian Financial Intelligence Unit (licence FIU000117) and must carry out due diligence on our clients, including the owners and managers of the future operator.
All communication takes place by email.

Questions worth answering before you request a quote

Which types of gambling will you offer, and will they be remote, on-site or both?
Which countries do you want to serve, and have you checked their own rules?
Which platform provider will you use, and can it meet Estonian technical requirements?
Who will own and manage the company, and how will the capital be financed?
How will players deposit and withdraw funds, and which payment partners will you use?

If your project also involves holding players' funds or issuing stored value, read our guides on the payment institution licence and the EMI licence, because those activities are regulated separately from gambling.

Related guides

This guide is general information about Estonian gambling licensing and our service. It is not legal advice and does not replace an assessment of your specific project.