Process of receipt of an online gambling license for game of chance in Estonia.
In general the process of application for the license is divided in 3 steps.
First step is preparation of client’s documents and draft an application, usually this process take from three weeks up to 2 months and very much depends on the client providing all required information and documents.
Second step is filing for an activity license with Estonian Tax and Customs Board.
Third step is preparation of the documents and information, draft an application and filing for an operation permit.
An applicant must have a minimum share capital in the amount of 1,000,000.00 Euros.
First we need to apply and receive an activity license for organizing gambling. A Sate Fees for an activity license are 47,940 Euros. The State Authorities has rights to review documents up to 4 months and may extend its time for an expert’s opinion for not more than additional 2 months. However, the process to apply and receive a license takes approximately up to 3 months. The activity license is issued for unspecified period.
According to Estonian law that regulates the organization of gambling, the State supervision extended over the organization of gambling on the territory of Estonia and on ships that has been entered in the Estonian register of ships. The licenses issued is issued to Estonian company and all activities of the holder of the license are subjects to Estonian laws.
An online gambling game of chance in the internet environment established in accordance with Estonian legislation allows any person, whose physical location is outside Estonia, after appropriate registration, attend this game of chance.
The law allows to place a server outside of the territory of Estonia. However, there is no any direct information or listings of countries that are appropriate for the allocation of the server. The general requirements of the law, for those applicants whose server located outside of Estonia to provide an evidence regarding the legal basis and possibilities of the supervisory authority for gambling and of the authority dealing with prevention of money laundering in the country of location of the server to cooperate with the Estonian Tax and Customs Board and Estonian Financial Intelligence Unit.
After receipt of the activity license, the applicant will need to apply for an operating permit. The process for the review and issue of an operating permit takes approximately up to 2 months but the regulator may have an extension time for the review of experts opinions for additional 2 months. The State Fees for applying for an operating permit are 3,200 Euros. The operating permit for online gambling is issued for the period of 5 years.