Estonian Gambling License
Tech-Forward Regulation and EU Recognition for iGaming.
ADVANTAGES
Favorable Business Environment
The gambling license process is streamlined, and successful applicants enjoy benefits like easier access to banking and low corporate tax on reinvested profits.
Efficient Procedure & Stability
The licensing timeline is moderate and once obtained, licenses are not term-limited. Estonia’s regulator provides clear guidance, and the jurisdiction is politically stable, ensuring long-term operational security for your iGaming business.
Banking and Payments Advantages
This is a European Economic Area license, enhancing your credibility and acceptance in the eyes of banks, payment processors, and game providers worldwide
Broad Scope & Prestige
An Estonian license significantly boosts your reputation allowing operations of a wide range of online gambling activities (casino games, sports betting, poker, lotteries) under a well-respected regulatory framework.
WHY ESTONIA?
Estonia stands out as a forward-looking EU jurisdiction that welcomes online gambling businesses under strict but fair regulations. Choosing Estonia means your operation will be under EU law and supervision, which is attractive to financial institutions and partners.
REQUIREMENTS
Registered Company & Capital
You must operate through a company registered in Estonia, either a locally incorporated entity or an EU company with a branch in Estonia. The company must have a minimum paid-in share capital depending on the type of gambling.
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At least €1,000,000 for games of chance (casino-style gaming)
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€130,000 for betting
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€25,000 for skill games
The company’s statutes must limit its activities to gambling operations only. This focused scope is required by law to prevent conflicts of interest.
Fit and Proper Persons
All owners with significant holdings and all board members or management must have an impeccable reputation. Estonia will reject applications if any key person has a criminal record or has been involved in illegal or problematic gambling businesses.
NUR Legal helps ensure full disclosure and vetting of all persons involved. We assist in gathering required documents such as police clearance certificates, declarations of honesty, and detailed CVs for each principal.
Local Presence & Personnel
While directors and shareholders can be non-Estonian, certain local presence is required. At least one responsible staff member in Estonia is usually needed to liaise with authorities and ensure compliance. This person can be a board member or a designated compliance officer.
All gambling data must be accessible in Estonia, and the primary server for online gambling must be physically located in Estonia. Possible exemptions may apply if an equivalent solution is approved. NUR Legal guides clients in meeting this IT infrastructure requirement by connecting them with reputable Estonian data centers or compliant cloud providers.
Technical and Financial Safeguards
Applicants must implement robust AML policies and player protection measures in accordance with Estonia’s Gambling Act and EU directives. This includes:
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KYC procedures
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Transaction monitoring
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Connection to self-exclusion systems
Financially, operators must maintain a reserve from annual profits to secure player winnings, as mandated by law. An annual independent audit of financial statements is required to ensure transparency. Additionally, before launch, games and random number generators may need certification by approved testing labs.
Tax and Reporting Compliance
Licensed operators must comply with Estonia’s tax laws and file regular reports. Estonia does not impose a gambling tax on GGR; instead, corporate income tax is paid when profits are distributed.
However, operators are required to:
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File monthly gambling tax returns if gambling tax obligations arise (e.g. lottery tax)
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Submit quarterly activity reports to the ETCB summarizing bets accepted and payouts
PROCEDURE
The process of obtaining a gambling license in Estonia involves the following steps as outlined by the Estonian Tax and Customs Board (ETCB)
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Two-Stage Licensing
Estonia employs a two-stage process. First, you must obtain an Activity License (giving the right to organize gambling in general), then an Operating Permit for each specific gambling product or website. NUR Legal guides you through both stages. We start by registering your company in Estonia (if not already existing) and ensuring it meets initial criteria (e.g. proper share capital, compliant corporate documents).​
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Activity License Application
We prepare the application for an Activity License to the Estonian Tax and Customs Board (ETCB). This involves compiling corporate documents, a business plan, internal rules for games, AML policies, and evidence that the company’s sole activity will be gambling operations. We also assist any foreign company in registering as a taxpayer in Estonia (a required step for non-residents).
The state fee for the Activity License (payable to the ETCB) depends on the types of gambling: for example, organizing games of chance currently requires a state fee of €47,940.
The ETCB has up to 4–6 months to review the Activity License application. During this review, we correspond with regulators on your behalf, promptly providing any additional information or clarifications requested.
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Operating Permit Application
Once the Activity License is approved, we proceed to apply for one or more Operating Permits. Each Operating Permit corresponds to a specific gambling service (e.g. an online casino website or a betting site) and requires detailing the venue or platform where games will be offered.
We submit necessary documents such as game descriptions, the website’s terms of use, player contract templates, and proof of technical readiness (including server location in Estonia and tested software). The state fee for each Operating Permit (currently €3,200) is paid at this stage.
The ETCB typically takes an additional 2–4 months to decide on the Operating Permit. We manage all communication in this phase as well, ensuring you meet any final conditions.
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Approval and Launch
Upon obtaining the Operating Permit(s), your company is fully licensed to launch the gambling services specified. NUR Legal assists in any post-approval registrations – for instance, listing on the official register of legal gambling operators and setting up the required local compliance measures (like appointing a local contact person for the ETCB, if necessary).
We also advise on ongoing reporting duties (periodic financial and player reports to regulators) and help set up an independent annual audit, which is mandatory for Estonian licensees. With our end-to-end support, clients often navigate Estonia’s licensing process in as little as 6–9 months, on the shorter side of the official timeline.
OUR OFFERS
NUR Legal provides an end-to-end service package to streamline the complex Estonian licensing process.
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For those still evaluating the regulatory landscape, we offer a comprehensive Legal Opinion that assesses answers all of your questions in legal aspect before moving forward.
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For clients ready to proceed, we deliver a full-scope package that includes everything necessary to start your gambling business.
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Full package Licensing
Obtaining an Estonian Gaming license is complex, but our firm provides end-to-end legal and consulting support to streamline the journey.
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Legal evaluation and due diligence of the project
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Discussions on requirements and action plans
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Licensing guide with required documents
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Corporate Setup
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Document review and amendment suggestions
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Application form completion and translation
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Status update calls and recommendations
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Communication with the regulator
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Terms & Conditions review and advice
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Licensing process oversight
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Updates on the local gambling legislation
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Drafting document amendments
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Application submission
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Legal and compliance consultations
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And more — full-spectrum of necessary legal actions
LEGAL FRAMEWORK
Gambling in Sweden is regulated by the Swedish Gambling Authority (Spelinspektionen) under the Gambling Act (2018). This legal framework allows private operators to obtain licenses for online betting and commercial online games (e.g. casinos, slots, poker) in Sweden. License types are segmented by activity – for example, separate licenses are issued for online casino games and for betting. Each license is typically valid for a maximum of 5 years, after which renewal is required.
Crucially, any operator offering games to players in Sweden must have a Swedish license – foreign licenses (even from other EU countries) are not recognized. The Swedish framework imposes some of the most rigorous compliance obligations in Europe: licensees must implement tools like Spelpaus (a nationwide self-exclusion program) and adhere to strict marketing guidelines (e.g. bonus offers only at first signup).
From a business perspective, the Swedish license positions you within the European Union’s regulatory environment. While Sweden itself applies local gambling tax and oversight, having a Swedish license can facilitate relationships with payment providers and suppliers across the EU due to its high compliance standards. Spelinspektionen actively supervises licensees for AML/CFT (combating financing of terrorism) and player protection compliance, with the power to issue fines or revoke licenses for breaches.
Overall, Sweden’s legal framework is characterized by clarity and strict enforcement. NUR Legal’s familiarity with Swedish regulations and our strong working relationships in the jurisdiction help ensure that our clients meet all legal requirements efficiently and correctly – giving you a solid legal foundation for your iGaming business in Sweden.
OUR SERVICES
Ready to pursue an Estonian gambling license? Contact us for tailored legal guidance and a smooth licensing process in Estonia.
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At NUR Legal, our services encompass:
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Regulatory Consultation
Assessing the best jurisdiction and license type for your business.​
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Documentation Assistance
Preparing and reviewing all necessary documents.​
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Application Management
Handling the submission and liaison with regulatory bodies.​
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Post-Licensing Support
Ensuring ongoing compliance and addressing any regulatory updates.
