EMTA licence: what it means, how to check it, licensed casinos
Estonia's tax and customs authority, which licenses and supervises online and land-based casinos, betting, games of skill and lotteries in Estonia.
Casinos with a page
5
Hunts tracked there
288
Accept crypto
100%
Founded
–
About the Estonian Tax and Customs Board (Maksu- ja Tolliamet)
In Estonia gambling is licensed and supervised by the Estonian Tax and Customs Board (EMTA), the national tax and customs agency under the Ministry of Finance. It applies the Gambling Act, which has been in force since 1 January 2009, and also collects gambling tax and keeps the register of gambling restrictions. Online gambling has been permitted under this framework since 2010.
An operator needs two documents from EMTA. First an activity licence, issued separately for games of chance, toto or games of skill, which has no expiry date. Then an operating permit for each type of game and each place of play, including a separate permit for remote gambling. Remote permits for games of chance and games of skill last up to five years. Applicants must be companies registered in Estonia or the EU and meet minimum share capital rules.
For players, an Estonian licence means the operator must verify age and identity, respect the national gambling restriction register and connect its systems to EMTA. The minimum age is 21 for casino games and games of skill and 18 for betting and lotteries. EMTA also publishes a list of blocked unlicensed gambling websites.
To check a licence, use EMTA's list of legal gambling operators on emta.ee, which shows each licensed operator and its websites by type of gambling. A licence from another EEA country does not make a site legal in Estonia.
Recent changes
1 January 2026: Gambling Act reform reported by the Legal 500 guide (crypto-assets added to the stake definition, payments limited to EEA-authorised providers, Financial Intelligence Unit approval of activity licences, minimum lottery age raised from 16 to 18). Remote gambling tax set at 5.5% for 2026 with planned steps down to 4% by 2029. The Ministry of Finance has announced a review of how the restriction list works, including possible additions at a family member's request or by court order; no date is fixed.
EMTA licence facts
| Country | Estonia |
|---|---|
| Law | Gambling Act (Hasartmänguseadus), in force since 1 January 2009 |
| Licenses | online casino (remote games of chance, including poker tournaments), land-based casinos, games of chance on ships, toto (betting), games of skill, lotteries |
| Licence types | Activity licence for organising games of chance, Activity licence for organising toto, Activity licence for organising games of skill, Operating permit for remote gambling, Operating permit for a land-based location or ship, Lottery operating permit |
| Market | Licenses operators serving players in Estonia only. An activity licence from another EEA country does not allow gambling in Estonia, and an Estonian licence does not cover other countries. |
| Self-exclusion | Gambling restriction register run by EMTA: players restrict themselves for a period they choose between 6 and 36 months; it cannot be cancelled early and only the player can apply. Instant scratch lotteries are not covered. |
| Player protection | Minimum age 21 for games of chance and games of skill, 18 for toto and lotteries. Remote games of chance and toto operators must connect to EMTA's systems and check the list of persons restricted from gambling. Self-restriction can be set online in e-MTA and takes effect by the next day. Mandatory weekly or monthly loss limits for remote gambling. EMTA blocks access to websites of unlicensed operators that target Estonia. |
| Complaints | Players should first contact the operator. If the problem cannot be solved, they can write to the Estonian Tax and Customs Board at hasart@emta.ee. |
| Licence register | www.emta.ee/en/business-client/registration-business/gambling-operators/list-legal-gambling-operators |
| Website | www.emta.ee |
Casinos with a EMTA licence
Casinos with a CasinoHub page that list this licence, most hunted first.
EMTA licence FAQ
How do I check if a casino holds an Estonian licence?
Open the list of legal gambling operators on emta.ee. It groups licensed operators by type of gambling, such as online games of chance or toto, and shows their websites.
Does a licence from Malta or another EU country make a site legal in Estonia?
No. EMTA states that an activity licence issued in another EEA country does not allow gambling to be offered in Estonia. Operators need an Estonian activity licence and operating permit.
What is the minimum age to gamble online in Estonia?
21 for casino-type games of chance and games of skill, and 18 for toto (betting) and lotteries.
How do I restrict myself from gambling in Estonia?
Apply through the e-MTA e-service, at a service bureau, through a casino or betting operator, or by digitally signed email. You choose a period between 6 and 36 months. The restriction cannot be cancelled early, and you must apply separately to remove it afterwards.
Does the restriction cover all gambling?
It covers games of chance such as casino games and poker, toto (sports betting) and classic lotteries. Instant scratch lotteries are not covered.
Where can I complain about a licensed Estonian operator?
Contact the operator first. If that does not solve the problem, you can write to the Estonian Tax and Customs Board at hasart@emta.ee.
Which casinos on CasinoHub hold a EMTA licence?
5 casinos with a CasinoHub page list a EMTA licence, including Casinobud, Respin, Epicbet, 20Bet. Each casino page shows the licence details we checked.
How many bonus hunts were tracked at EMTA-licensed casinos?
Streamers tracked 288 bonus hunts with CasinoHub at casinos that list a EMTA licence.
Other gambling regulators
Researched by Konrad van Daath, checked 7 November 2026. Facts come from public sources (emta.ee, legal500.com, news.err.ee). Always confirm a licence in the regulator's own register. Gambling is for adults only and can be addictive; play responsibly.
Streaming at a licensed casino? Track the hunt
CasinoHub's free bonus hunt tracker works with every casino: bonuses, break-even and the multiplier you still need, live on stream.