Applications Remain Under Review as One Operator Withdraws
Estonia has so far received only two applications from operators seeking licences to offer online gambling services under the country's new regulatory framework, according to Evelyn Liivamägi.
Liivamägi revealed that both applications are currently under review by the authorities, while a third potential applicant decided to withdraw from the process before obtaining approval.
Legislative Error Created Temporary Tax Gap
The rollout of the reform encountered an unexpected challenge earlier this year after a legislative error was identified in January. As a result, online gambling operators temporarily operated without an applicable tax obligation in place.
Despite the legal uncertainty, companies continued making payments on a voluntary basis during the transition period. Authorities collected approximately €815,000 in January and a further €1.12 million in February.
Additional Funding Covered Revenue Shortfall
The temporary gap in tax collection resulted in a revenue shortfall of around €220,000. The deficit was subsequently covered through an additional budget transfer to the Culture Fund, ensuring that planned funding allocations remained unaffected.
The developments highlight both the cautious pace of licence uptake and the administrative challenges associated with implementing Estonia's updated online gambling regime.
