Ecosystem

An industry that runs on software.

Games, platforms, payments and data. Here are the six groups that work together in the sector, and how rules and supervision connect them.

A river winding through Estonian fields and forests

Six groups.

01OperatorsActivity licence, operating permit and accountability to the player.
02Technology and AIGames, platforms, cybersecurity and data.
03Payments and fintechKnow your customer and anti-money-laundering.
04Public sectorPolicy makers and supervisors.
05Research and educationNew talent and independent knowledge.
06Culture and sportGambling tax supports culture and sport.

How the groups connect

01 / 06

Operators

Gambling operators licensed in Estonia. They bring games to players and put player protection into daily practice.

Works with

01 / Operators

Activity licence, operating permit and accountability to the player.

Organising gambling usually requires two licences: an activity licence gives the right to organise gambling, and an operating permit the right to open a specific venue or offer remote gambling. The operator is accountable to the player: games reach players through it, and so does player protection in daily practice.

Games, platforms, cybersecurity and data.

Games and platforms are built by studios and suppliers whose software reaches players through a licensed operator. A gaming system's compliance is confirmed by an independent expert recognised by the Tax and Customs Board and accredited to ISO/IEC 17025. Data analysis and AI help spot risky play and suspicious transactions.

Know your customer and anti-money-laundering.

Know-your-customer (KYC) and anti-money-laundering (AML) requirements apply most directly where money moves. The sector's supervisor is the Financial Intelligence Unit. From 1 January 2027, requirements for transaction monitoring and beneficial-ownership transparency tighten, and every service provider must appoint an anti-money-laundering contact person (MLRO) resident in Estonia.

Policy makers and supervisors.

The Ministry of Finance shapes gambling and tax policy, the Ministry of Social Affairs is responsible for preventing gambling addiction, and the Cultural Endowment operates alongside the Ministry of Culture. Supervision is carried out by the Tax and Customs Board (licences and taxes), the Financial Intelligence Unit (anti-money-laundering) and the Consumer Protection and Technical Regulatory Authority (advertising and consumer protection).

New talent and independent knowledge.

The sector needs developers, data analysts, compliance specialists and researchers. Independent research helps us understand the effects of gambling and make responsible gaming measures effective.

Gambling tax supports culture and sport.

By law, 47.8% of gambling tax goes to the Cultural Endowment of Estonia. It has funded Kumu, the Estonian National Museum, the concert hall of the Estonian Academy of Music and Theatre, and Ukuaru, the music house dedicated to Arvo Pärt. From 2026, part of the tax on betting and remote gambling goes to sports facilities.

Is your company part of this chain?

EGA's members are operators and their partners. As a member you help shape our positions and hear early about upcoming changes.

Join us