Gambling license in Estonia

Estonia has become one of the most promising countries where the gambling business is developing very intensively: new companies are registered, and there are ample opportunities to attract major European partners. The Tax and Customs Board superintends the organization of gambling, lotteries, and tax-free games.

Types of gambling licenses in Estonia

In Estonia, there are two types of licenses for conducting gambling activities:

• Operating license

Granted to organize a type of gambling like games of chance on machines and tables, lotteries, totos, etc., to organize gambling activities in a certain place or to open a gambling venue on a ship.

• Activity license

This license is granted for an unspecified term and is not transferable. It establishes compliance with the organizer’s requirements entitled to apply for the operating license.

Business licensing is possible only if gambling is the only type of activity that the company engages in.

Basic requirements for obtaining a license

In order to obtain a gambling license in Estonia, you need to register an Estonian company. Companies must meet capital requirements:

• Gambling can only be organized by a public limited company or a private limited company with an authorized capital of at least EUR 1 million;

• Lotteries can only be organized by a public limited liability company with an authorized capital of at least EUR 1 million, and all shares must be owned by the Estonian state;

• The skill game can only be organized by a public limited company or LLC with an authorized capital of at least EUR 25,000;

• Sweepstakes can only be organized by a public limited company or LLC, whose authorized capital is at least 130 thousand EUR.