All You Need to Know About Estonian Gambling Regulations
The online gambling industry has seen exponential growth in the last decade, and more and more people are joining the bandwagon. However, with an increasing number of players, there comes an increasing need for regulations to ensure that everything is above board. Estonia is one of the countries that have recognized the need for regulations to govern the industry. In this blog post, we will delve deep into everything you need to know about Estonian gambling regulations.
1. The legal age for gambling in Estonia
In Estonian online casinos (virolaiset nettikasinot) , you must be at least 21 years old to gamble legally. This law applies to both land-based casinos and online casinos. The law was put in place to protect young people from developing problem gambling habits. It is crucial to note that anyone caught gambling under the legal age in Estonia will face criminal charges.
2. Licensing of online casinos
Before any online casino can start operating in Estonia, it has to obtain a license from the Estonian Tax and Customs Board. The board is responsible for issuing licenses and ensuring that all online casinos comply with the set regulations. If online casinos fail to comply with the rules, their licenses may be revoked, and they may face legal action.
3. Self-exclusion programs
Estonia has self-exclusion programs for individuals who feel that their gambling habits are getting out of hand. These programs offer individuals the opportunity to exclude themselves from online gambling for a specific duration, ranging from six months to three years. The idea behind the self-exclusion program is to encourage responsible gambling habits and to protect people from developing problem gambling.
4. Advertising regulations
Estonia has strict regulations governing the advertising of online casinos. Casinos have to obtain the necessary permits to advertise, and they are only allowed to advertise their services to individuals over the legal gambling age. They also have to ensure that their ads do not promote irresponsible gambling habits.
5. Taxes
The Estonian government imposes a tax of 18% on all online casino wins. This tax applies regardless of whether the person winning is a resident or a non-resident of the country. The tax is calculated on the Gross Gaming Revenue (GGR) of the casino. Online casinos have to deduct and remit the tax to the Estonian Tax and Customs Board.
In short:
In In short, Estonia has put in place strict regulations to govern the online gambling industry. These regulations are designed to protect players from developing problem gambling habits, promote responsible gambling habits and ensure that online casinos operate within the set rules. It is crucial to note that any online casino operating in Estonia must comply with these regulations to avoid legal action by the Estonian government. Overall, these regulations provide a safe and fair environment for players who want to engage in online gambling activities in Estonia.