The definition of gambling is formulated in Gambling Act. According to this gambling is a game where:
- exists the requirement to make a stake;
- player could win a prize of monetary value;
- the result of the game is determined completely or partially by actions based on chance, or depends on the occurrence of an event not known in advance.
It is allowed to organise gambling games that are in conformity with the requirements of Gambling Act in Estonia.
Organizer of gambling game
The right to organise gambling games shall be held by a reliable person, who conforms to the requirements of Gambling Act and who holds an activity license and an operating license. If the special conditions are prescribed to some categories of gambling in the law, the organiser of gambling must comply with those as well.
The activity license establishes compliance with requirements of the organizer of gambling entitling to applying to the operating license to organise games of chance, totos and games of skill. The activity license is granted for an unspecified term and is not transferable.
The operating license is granted to organise a specific type of gambling like lotteries, totos, games of chance on machines and tables etc. The operating license is also given to organise gambling in a certain place or to open gambling place on a ship.
The applications for licenses should be submitted to the Tax and Customs Board.
Lotteries that are organised by the state-owned company
Lotteries may be organised by a completely state-owned public limited company whose share capital is at least 1,000,000 euros, founded for that purpose by the Government of the Republic of Estonia. This company also organises lotteries for supporting the non-profit associations and foundations.
Lotteries organised in support of non-profit associations and foundations
The state-owned company may organise lotteries to accumulate funds in support of a specified purpose of the foundation or the non-profit association. Foundations and non-profit associations who need financial resources to achieve the aims specified in their statutes and who are in conformity with the requirements of the law may apply for the support by the Ministry of Finance.
Promotional lottery
The organizer of a promotional lottery is obliged to register the promotional lottery in the Registry of Economic Activities prior to starting organising of the promotional lottery. The total prize fund of a promotional lottery may be up to 100,000 euros.
The person planning to organise a promotional lottery shall submit a registration application to the Tax and Customs Board.
Following gambling games can be organised without a license or a registration (the Gambling Act is not applicable):
- games of skill in which the only possible prize is the opportunity to play again in the same game;
- sports competitions;
- lotteries with a prize fund up to 1,000 euros;
- promotional lotteries with a prize fund of up to 10,000 euros.
