Is Online Gambling Legal in Estonia?
Gambling in Estonia became legal after the country regained independence and began building its own legislative system. Before that, all forms of gambling were banned under Soviet control, though underground venues still operated throughout the region. The first steps toward a regulated market began with the Lottery Act in 1994 and the Gambling Act in 1995, which created the foundation for licensed operators to enter the space.
Over time, those laws were updated to meet the needs of a growing market. The current Gambling Act came into effect in 2009 and is still in force today. Online gambling was formally introduced a year later, which gave the Estonian government clear oversight over remote casino operators and betting services. The move came during a difficult economic period and was partly intended to attract more tax revenue through controlled digital gambling.
Under current rules, only licensed operators may offer online casino services to local residents. Any platform that does not comply is blocked at the domain level, and its payment channels are restricted by authorities. Marketing from unauthorized platforms is also prohibited. The Tax and Customs Board maintains a public blacklist of sites that are not allowed to operate in the country, and local payment providers are expected to follow those restrictions.
Gambling Regulators and Licensing in Estonia
All gambling activities fall under the supervision of the Estonian Tax and Customs Board (EMTA), which handles the licensing, oversight, and enforcement of land-based and online gambling operators. The legal framework hasn’t seen major changes since the 2009 Gambling Act, but it still provides clear requirements for remote operators entering the market.
To operate legally, companies must hold two separate approvals, which are required before any online gambling services can be offered to residents: an activity license and an operational license.
Activity License
This license gives the holder the right to apply for operating permits for specific types of gambling. Each category, such as games of chance (e.g. slots, roulette, keno, bingo), toto (primarily sports betting), or games of skill (e.g. certain card and board games), requires a separate activity license. Operators must apply for the correct category based on the games they intend to offer. The license is valid indefinitely.
Notable conditions:
- Lotteries do not require an activity license, only an operating permit.
- Activity licenses are not required for games of skill where the prize is simply the chance to play again.
- Licenses issued by other EEA countries are not valid for offering gambling services locally.
Operational License
This permit allows the company to actually offer its gambling services once the activity license has been approved, and also applies to businesses that provide backend technology or infrastructure. It’s valid for 5 years.
To qualify, operators must meet several compliance and business integrity standards, including:
- Registered as a legal entity in Estonia or recognized under Estonian law
- Technical systems that meet national security and monitoring standards
- Active implementation of responsible gambling tools
- AML procedures in line with national and EU regulations
- Proof of management competence
- Capital requirement of at least €1 million
- Shareholders and executives must not have prior violations involving unlicensed gambling operations or revoked permits
The licensing rules give the EMTA broad authority to monitor the conduct of gambling operators and remove access for those that fail to comply. The structure also protects players by making sure platforms are financially stable, operationally secure, and subject to enforcement if needed.
Best Payment Methods for Fast Withdrawals in Estonia
Online casinos support several payment systems that can be used for fast withdrawals. Players can select based on convenience, account setup, and privacy preferences, with some methods more widely supported than others across platforms.
E-wallets
Digital wallets such as Skrill, Neteller, and MiFinity are widely accepted. These services allow for quick transfer of funds without using traditional banks, and are especially popular among players who prefer not to share card or bank details directly with gambling platforms. Most sites that offer them also support wallet-based deposits, which makes them viable for full account use.
Cryptocurrency
Many licensed casinos have started accepting crypto, particularly operators that also hold international licenses. Bitcoin and Ethereum are the most common, but some sites may support altcoins as well. These transactions typically go through without third-party interference and can offer strong privacy, low fees, and fast transactions if the platform doesn’t require wallet verification beyond standard KYC.
Bank Cards
Visa and Mastercard remain active across many local sites, but their use is becoming more selective depending on the platform. Card withdrawals are often limited by processing rules set by the issuer, and some banks may apply additional checks or hold periods. Still, cards remain a go-to option for players who prefer an interface linked directly to their main accounts.
Bank Transfers
Traditional bank transfers are the fallback option at most casinos, used automatically when other methods don’t support withdrawals or when the platform enforces the closed-loop rule.
Estonian law does not allow players to withdraw to a method or account that wasn’t used for deposit, so all payouts must be sent to the original funding source. If that’s not possible, casinos will usually switch the transaction to a wire transfer. Although this process tends to be slower, it’s considered reliable and secure.
