No Plans to Make Gambling Laws in Estonia Stricter
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Loading... - Amanda Bennet
- 11 Apr 2025
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Estonia has decided not to tighten its gambling laws, prioritizing tax revenues over stricter regulations despite rising concerns about gambling addiction, the exposure of minors to gambling, and subtle advertising that blurs the lines between entertainment, gaming, and gambling. The Ministry of Finance has stated that it has no plans to impose stricter regulations, fearing that such measures could lead to a decrease in tax revenue.
Instead, the ministry aims to clarify existing legislation while continuing to rely on gambling taxes to fund cultural and sports initiatives. Rainer Osanik, head of financial intelligence policy at the Ministry of Finance, emphasized the importance of gambling tax revenue, stating, "A gambling tax is a vital contribution to Estonian sports and culture." He further explained that tightening the rules could reduce the number of operators, which would, in turn, decrease tax revenues. The current stance is to clarify rather than restrict regulations.
The Riigikogu Economic Affairs Committee reviewed proposed amendments in February, highlighting the increasing rates of gambling addiction and the exposure of children to gambling activities. Committee chair Jaak Aab (Independent) cited research indicating a rise in pre-addiction phases among individuals and questioned the underlying causes.
Osanik linked gambling addiction to the design of the system, noting, "Bets with winnings create excitement, fostering addiction. Studies identify this as a risk factor." Regarding minors, he pointed out that while children are legally barred from gambling, they can still engage indirectly through family activities.
Another concern is the prevalence of covert gambling advertising. Osanik mentioned that sponsorships allow companies to advertise legally without directly promoting gambling, raising questions about the effectiveness of current regulations.
The government is also reviewing various aspects of gambling, including casino product placement, age restrictions, and prize regulations. Currently, land-based casino skill games, such as poker, have no minimum age requirement, while online skill-based games require players to be 21 and older. The Tax and Customs Board (MTA) has deemed the age restriction excessive, arguing that it is inconsistent with other forms of gambling, especially since the prize amounts in skill games are often relatively low.
Discussions are also underway regarding extending the maximum self-exclusion period for gambling addicts, which is currently set at three years. Some policymakers suggest that this period should be increased to provide better protection for individuals struggling with addiction.
Gambling tax revenues remain essential for Estonia's cultural and sports programs, but budget cuts have led to the closure of the national gambling addiction counseling center. Osanik acknowledged that costs were reduced as part of budget-cutting measures, stating, "The substantive aspect was not considered." The Ministry of Social Affairs clarified that the closure was due to financial reasons, not a lack of demand.
The Ministry of Finance plans to continue gathering feedback from stakeholders on potential legislative changes, with reviews scheduled between March and April. A draft bill is expected by mid-2026. Key debates will include lottery regulations, which currently restrict operations to the state-owned AS Eesti Loto. The ministry argues that this approach is outdated and that private companies should also have opportunities to run lotteries in Estonia.
