During parliamentary discussions, lawmakers emphasized that the changes go beyond a phased rate reduction. They said new rules must operate under strict regulation and control. The goal is to keep operators within the regulated market. Now, authorities intend to review the law to create the necessary corrections.
In December of the previous year, Estonia approved a bill about the gambling tax. Despite the lengthy process, the text still contained inaccuracies. As reported by ERR, a typo in the bill effectively exempts online casinos from taxation for the entire next year. The bill’s development took almost a year. A local company lawyer discovered the error after the law had already come into force.
ERR states that the error appeared in the clause describing the taxation of gambling. Aivar Kokk, a member of the Riigikogu Finance Committee, explains that the current version links the tax rate to revenue from skills games, while omitting any mention of games of chance. Thus, the text implies that online gambling is exempt from taxes.
Annely Akkermann, Chair of the Riigikogu Finance Committee, said that Ministry of Finance lawyers, committee staff, and MPs reviewed the bill. However, none of them noticed the inaccuracy. She confirmed there is an error in the law that needs correction. Otherwise, Estonia risks losing a notable amount of revenue this year.
At the end of the year, Estonia decided to cut its gambling tax rate from 6% to 4%. This move contrasts with most countries, which are raising gambling taxes. The Riigikogu passed the bill on December 3, 2025, and the President proclaimed it on December 18. Authorities framed the decision as a way to make the jurisdiction more competitive while keeping predictable rules for licensed operators, amid tightening fiscal policies in other countries. During parliamentary discussions, lawmakers stressed that the changes go beyond a phased rate reduction. They said the new rules must operate under strict regulation and control to keep operators within the regulated market.
