Regulation

Permits and Application

Activity license and operating permit - requirements, state fees and procedural periods.

The organization of gambling generally requires two permits: a license (right to organize gambling) and an organizing permit (right to open a particular place of play or to offer remote gambling). In the event of a commercial lottery, neither permit is required.

Permission to operate

The licence is valid indefinitely and entitles you to apply for management permits. The licence is required for the organisation of a gamble, a toto and a game of dexterity and is given to each type of play separately. No licence is required for the organisation of the lottery.

Requirements for the applicant

  • Stock company or private limited company registered in Estonia or the EU
  • Share or share capital minimum: gamble 1 000 000 €, toto 130 000 €, dexterity game 25 000 €
  • Reliability requirements - Important shareholders/shareholders, actual beneficiaries or members of the governing body must not have appropriate punishment or severe management error
  • Non-resident must register in advance with the Tax and Customs Board as a non-resident taxpayer

State fee

Type of playState fee
The gamble47 940 €
Toto31 960 €
A game of dexterity3200 €
Period of procedure

The decision will be made within 4 months of receipt of all necessary documents, but no later than 6 months from receipt of the request. Permission is issued electronically via e-MTA.

Operating permit

An order permit is required to open a specific play place at the specified address, to arrange gambling on the ship or to provide remote gambling. The applicant must already have a licence for the respective species (except for the lottery).

Important conditions

  • A written consent of the municipality or city government is required for the land play site; the validity period of the permit shall be indicated in this consent
  • In the case of gamble and toto, the electronic accounting and control system of the organiser must be connected to the Information System of the Tax and Customs Board (EHMA)
  • Period of validity of remote gambling: gamble, lottery and dexterity game up to 5 years; toto up to 20 years
  • Connection to the list of persons with a restriction on gambling (HAMPI) is required

State fee

Type of permitState fee
Land (happiness game, toto, dexterity game)3200 €
Remote Gambling3200 €
Lotteries640 €
Period of procedure

The decision will be made within 2 months of receipt of all necessary documents, but no later than 4 months from receipt of the request.

Independent experts

The compliance of the game systems is confirmed by independent experts recognized by the Tax and Customs Board, who have ISO/IEC 17025 accreditation in the EU and are independent of the applicant (no manufacturer, operator or importer of the automatic/software).

Source: Estonian Tax and Customs Board (EMTA) · last reviewed 2026-06-19

This is a summary overview and does not constitute legal advice. Authoritative and up-to-date information is available on the website of the Estonian Tax and Customs Board and in the Riigi Teataja (Gambling Act, Gambling Tax Act).