Online casinos are legal in Estonia under a comprehensive regulatory framework established by the Gambling Act of 2009. (1) All forms of gambling, including online casinos, sports betting, poker, and lotteries, are permitted provided operators comply with strict licensing standards set by the Estonian Tax and Customs Board (ETCB). The regulatory system ensures that only licensed operators can legally provide gambling services to Estonian residents, creating a controlled and secure gaming environment.
To operate legally in Estonia, gambling companies must obtain both an activity licence and an operating permit from the Estonian Tax and Customs Board. (2) This dual-licensing system ensures that operators meet rigorous technical requirements, adhere to responsible gambling rules, and implement proper anti-money laundering policies. The licensing process includes thorough background checks on operators and requires registration of a legal entity within Estonia's jurisdiction.
"The right to organise gambling is granted by an operating permit for organising gambling, which is issued by the Estonian Tax and Customs Board and is registered in the Register of Economic Activities."
Estonian gambling regulations also include important player protection measures, with a minimum age requirement of 21 for casino gaming and 18 for sports betting. (1) Players have access to self-exclusion options ranging from six months to three years, and operators must offer monetary spending limitations. The Estonian Tax and Customs Board maintains a public list of all legal gambling operators, allowing consumers to verify the legitimacy of online casino platforms before engaging with their services.
Source:
https://www.emta.ee/en/business-client/registration-business/gambling-operators/list-legal-gambling-operators
https://iclg.com/practice-areas/gambling-laws-and-regulations/estonia
Last updated: 26-07-2025 Disclaimer: This article does not provide legal advice. If you need legal advice, please contact an attorney directly.
