Do I need to pay taxes on online gambling winnings in Estonia?

Estonia only taxes winnings made via lottery games (18%). All other forms of gambling, such as sports betting and casinos, are not taxed. The burden of taxes is instead placed on the operators.

Can I play with Euros at online casinos?

Of course. Every Estonian online casino has the EUR as a primary currency option for players.

Is it safe to play at a casino online in Estonia?

Playing at an Estonian-licensed online casino is completely safe and 100% legal in the eyes of the law. Placing wagers at foreign online casino sites is a bit of a legal grey area, but there haven’t been cases of harsh punishment to those caught in such activities.

Can I play for free at Estonian online casinos?

Absolutely. Many online casinos will let you try out their full gaming selection in Demo Mode, free of charge – with no time limits.

Can I expect good bonuses at the best casino sites in Estonia?

Yes. Bonuses are the primary weapon of each online casino when it comes to attracting new customers. At the very least, you can expect a generous welcome bonus.

Are there withdrawal fees at Estonia online casinos?

This depends on the online casino you are playing at. In general, withdrawal fees at Estonian online casinos are low to non-existent.

What do I need to do to receive my winnings?

Withdrawing winnings from an online casino is a straightforward process. Yet, you will have to verify your identity before you are able to cash out your winnings. This is a standard security procedure for all online casinos, and it aims to protect the casino from fraud and money-laundering.

How long will it take before I receive my winnings?

This depends on the payment method you are using to withdraw. In general, e-wallets boast the fastest payouts (Instant – up to 72 hours). Debit card withdrawals and bank transfers can take up to a full business week to process.

Which payment methods are available at Estonian online casinos?

Estonians have access to a wide variety of payment options, ranging from e-wallets to prepaid cards and bank transfer. We will give you a list of some of the most common payment methods.

Best Online Casinos in Estonia: Top 10 Casino Websites 2023

Online casinos in Estonia

The one downside to Estonian-licensed online casinos is that there aren’t too many of them. This is why many players still prefer to take their cash and gamble at foreign casino sites. Please have a look at our listings of the best Estonian gambling sites. Each online casino has been thoroughly vetted by our team of in-house experts, meaning you can rest assured you are playing at a reliable casino.

If you wish to learn more about Estonian casinos in general and the exact details on the legal status in the country, read on.

Are casinos legal in Estonia?

In Estonia, all forms of gambling, including online and land-based casinos, bingo, poker, and sports betting, are legal with the requirement of a gambling license for operators. The country's gambling laws have evolved over time: initial legislation in the 1990s allowed certain forms of gambling, while the Gambling Act of 2009 unified and streamlined regulations. This Act legalized various forms of gambling for licensed operators, both for locals and tourists, while unlicensed operators and players at unlicensed venues are prohibited. Players must be at least 21 years old to gamble.

Foreign-based online casinos were permitted to apply for Estonian licenses in 2011, expanding the market. A favorable tax rate of 18% for casino operators has attracted foreign companies, indicating potential growth. Licenses are valid for 20 years, giving operators access to a gambling-friendly nation. The Estonian Tax and Customs Board (ETCB) is responsible for regulating gambling, ensuring fair play and player protection. Numerous unauthorized operators have been blacklisted by the ETCB.

Software and gaming selection at Estonian online casinos

The software lineup at any given casino should give any experienced player a clear picture of what to expect in terms of games. There are leading providers, there are small-time software companies and those that sit in the middle ground.

In general, Estonian casinos contain all types, but what we’re really interested in are the market leaders. Names such as NetEnt, Yggdrasil, Play N Go, Novomatic – these gaming suppliers have produced the most famous, best online casino games in existence.

The average Estonian casino is brimming with quality in their gaming library, and quantity as well. It’s not uncommon to come across a casino with 2000+ games. That’s virtually limitless entertainment, as well as a great chance of filling your pockets.

Slot machines

At the top of each casino’s gaming selection, you will find the mythical slot machines, the online gamer’s favorite – by far. Slots come in all shapes and sizes. Generally, they are split into classic, video slots and progressive – all of which are readily available at casinos that accept Estonians.

Classic slots are fewest, as they originate from an age long past, but these 3-reeled classics still pack a punch in terms of winning potential. The epitome of the slot machine, the modern video slot, is available in limitless variety across online casinos. On average, there are hundreds of them on offer. They come in various themes, payout structures and a myriad of rewarding bonus features.

To give you a few examples, check out NetEnt’s Starburst, Dead or Alive and Gonzo’s Quest, Yggdrasil’s Vikings Go Wild, Valley of the Gods and Beauty and the Beast or Microgaming’s Immortal Romance and Thunderstruck II. Are you hunting for that life-changing jackpot? Rest assured, your needs will be met.

The online market’s most lucrative progressive slots lie in wait. Titles such as NetEnt’s Mega Fortune and Microgaming’s Mega Moolah can spin your life around with their towering multi-million jackpots. Of course, those are but a few examples. For the full picture have a look at our Estonian casino listings.

Table games

Table game players will have plenty to look forward to at Estonian online casinos. The all-time favorites in the likes of Blackjack, Craps, Baccarat, Roulette and Poker are all on offer. Typically, you will find more than 50 table games, filled with dozens of variants of the usual classics.

Microgaming in particular is one of the most prominent table game providers. The company’s Vegas Single Deck Blackjack boasts the most player-favorable game rules, thus the lowest house edge. It is perfect for those looking to employ basic strategy and turn a profit.

Video poker

Video Poker may not be the most popular game for European players, but more often than not you will find a dozen variants of this game type. The most common titles include Jacks or Better, Deuces Wild, Joker Pro, and many of them are available in regular, Multi-Hand and Double Up versions.

Live casino

The ultimate table gaming experience awaits at the live casino. Powered by market leaders in the likes of Evolution Gaming and NetEnt, you can enjoy a host of table games that will immerse you like no other. Through titles such as Blackjack Party, Immersive Roulette, Lightning Roulette, and Deal or no Deal, live dealer tables offer unmatched variety and quality that can entertain you for months on end.

Live casino tables are brought to players via HD streams. They’re operated by friendly presenters you can talk to via live chat. Moreover, you can place a unique range of bets, and find tables open 24/7. There is a hefty selection of regular and VIP tables with high limits.

Popular casino bonuses in Estonia

Online casino bonuses have become so popular in the online gaming world, the word itself has become synonymous with online casinos. As an Estonian customer, you will enjoy the benefit of welcome bonuses, free spins offers, reload and cashback promos and the rare, but valuable no-deposit bonus.

We’ll give you a brief rundown of each bonus type as you read on.

Welcome bonuses

Estonian players will get a hearty welcome at most online casinos through a generous welcome bonus. This bonus type is industry-standard, and it generally offers the highest value for your money. For instance, you may be offered a 100% match of your first deposit up to €200. A double-up on your bankroll is nothing to scoff at, and you’d be better suited taking advantage of these bonuses rather than ignoring them.

Yes, they come with certain bonus terms and wagering requirements, but this is only to protect the casino and prevent it from going bankrupt. Nevertheless, before claiming any bonus, we strongly advise you to check out its terms and conditions. A few minutes of your time can save you plenty of headaches down the road.

Free spins bonuses

In recent years, free spins bonuses have almost completely replaced the outdated reload and cashback bonuses. This is the natural order of things, as slot machines are the most played casino game by far. Online casinos may offer free spin bonuses to promote new slot releases or as part of ongoing promotions throughout the year.

Oftentimes, free spins are paired with a deposit match as part of the welcome offer. For instance, it’s common to see a 100% up to €100 match + 50 Free Spins welcome bonus.

All free spins bonuses, bar a few rare exceptions, will convert your winnings into bonus cash that needs to be wagered.

No deposit bonuses

Estonian players shouldn’t get too hopeful for no deposit bonuses, as they are extremely rare in the online gaming world. Still, the occasional no deposit promotion does appear from time to time. These bonuses are a fan favorite because they don’t require any risk on the player’s part.

You simply need to create an account, and you have bonus funds to play with. This bonus type usually comes with high wagering requirements and limited cash-out potential, but we can’t really complain about free money in hand.

Payment methods in Estonia

Estonia, as a nation, embraces fintech. This means that online casino players in the country enjoy access to some of the best payment methods. Some payment methods available to Estonian punters include:

E-Wallets: Most of the best online casinos in Estonia support a long list of e-wallets. Some common options you can find in casinos include Neteller, Skrill, ecoPayz, and PayPal.
Credit/Debit Cards: Most casino players prefer credit and debit cards as their preferred payment methods. Most online casinos accept credit/debit cards offered by Mastercard, Visa, or Maestro for easy and efficient payments.
Prepaid Cards: Estonian casinos also allow for prepaid cards issued by merchants like MasterCard, Visa, and Paysafecard. Unlike credit or debit cards, prepaid cards do not have to be liked by a bank to be used.
Cryptocurrencies: Although cryptocurrencies are relatively new in the gambling industry, they are rapidly becoming a favorite among players because they are fast, cheap, and guarantee anonymity.

Besides these options, some players also use local payment methods such as Mondo, PAYMILL, 2Checkout, PayTrail, and QuickPay.

How do we select the best Estonian online casinos?

Our site reviews a number of Estonian-licensed online casinos and those based in foreign countries with off-shore licenses. Still, our criteria remain largely the same. We look at the games, the quality of customer support, the availability of payment methods and payout times, as well as the level of security. Read more about some of these points:

Security

Security should be of no concern to the Estonian casino gamer. Operators licensed by the government of Estonia must obey a wide set of rules and guidelines to protect players and offer measures of fair play. They must also prove game fairness via independent testing facilities and provide regular payout reports.

As such, you can rest assured that your money will be placed in safe hands regardless of where you choose to play.

If you like to take your wagers to a foreign online casino, then have a look at casinos licensed by the Malta Gaming Authority. Many of these are welcoming Estonian players, and boast the highest standard of security across the entire gaming industry.

Game selection

The finest Estonian online casinos are distinguished by their wide array of games, catering to various preferences. Top casino sites in Estonia should offer classic favorites and modern innovations, such as live dealer games, showcasing their dedication to providing an enjoyable gaming experience for every player. The suitability of any game is highly personal. However, many games enjoy a significantly larger following than others. Here is a list of some standout favorites among Estonian online punters:

Slots
Poker
Roulette
Blackjack
Baccarat
Craps

Customer Support

If you are going to have a good time at the best online casino, it’s impossible to do so without a proper support team to rely on throughout most of the day. Fortunately, Estonian online casinos boast multi-channel customer support, 7 days a week.

Your best bet of getting help is live chat, commonly available 24/7. When reviewing online casinos, we look at live chat response times and the quality of help received.

Telephone support is also important, but not in the same vein as live chat. Although a personal touch sometimes goes a long way, therefore we give a small plus to operators available via phone. Non-urgent queries can always be settled via email, which is always at your disposal, though response times are longer than usual.

Language

Naturally, Estonian-licensed online casinos are available in the country’s native language. Offshore licensed casino sites may be available in English and Russian and still offer their services to Estonians.

History of gambling in Estonia

Before 1991, Estonia was a part of the Soviet Union, where gambling was illegal. Although the country gained independence in 1991, it remained annexed by the Soviet Union until 1994. It was not until the last batch of Russians had left when the first piece of gambling legislation, the Lottery Act of 1994, was adopted.

Shortly after, the Gambling Act of 1995 was passed. These two gambling laws were instrumental in legalizing gambling in the country. Ever since, Estonia has been making deliberate efforts to liberalize the gambling market, which has grown from strength to strength.

Even though the Estonian gambling industry has been regulated since 1995, technological developments necessitated creating new gambling laws.

The economic crisis of 2007 to 2008 also made the government introduce the Gambling act of 2009. This new development saw the Estonian government introduce a license for casinos operating in the country, but this still locked out offshore casinos. In 2011, the ban on foreign operators was lifted, and they were finally allowed to get a license.

The government also launched a crackdown on unlicensed online casino websites offering their services to Estonians. These new developments hit land-based casinos hard, with the number of local operators in the capital reducing by more than 60%.

Future of online casinos in Estonia

While there is a lot to admire about the organization of the Estonian gambling industry, it seems that there is still some desire to change the current laws. The current legislation appears to be quite favorable to everyone.

However, there could be initiatives to address the increasing number of unlicensed operators in the country. Currently, any of the best online casinos in Estonia and sportsbooks would be open to the possibility of having their license fees reviewed, even though they are lower than what other EU countries charge.

Due to the burden imposed by the Covid-19 pandemic, there has been a massive dip in local gambling revenues. In light of these developments, the Estonian government could consider offering some compensation, especially to land-based operators who have been adversely hit.

All things considered, the future of gambling now lies online. Therefore, it goes without saying that the Estonian government could be making significant developments to ensure that the online gaming landscape becomes fully compliant.

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