Estonia debates lower remote gambling tax: Could the country become an online gaming hub?

Estonia’s parliament is once again debating gambling taxes. Reform Party and Eesti 200 MPs have introduced a bill to reduce the tax rate for remote gambling. Their goal is to make Estonia a more attractive destination for online operators serving international players.

 

Supporters of the bill argue that even with a lower rate, tax revenues could rise as more companies relocate to Estonia. The additional income would be directed towards culture and sports funding, including the construction of long-discussed sports facilities.

 

Under the current law, remote gambling tax was set to increase to 7% in the coming years. The new proposal instead suggests lowering the rate gradually, reaching 4% by 2029. Reform MP Madis Timpson, one of the bill’s drafters, described the vision as turning Estonia into a “remote gambling paradise.”

 

Timpson highlighted that companies currently registered in Malta or elsewhere could shift their operations to Estonia, meaning that profits from players in countries like France or Spain would benefit the Estonian economy.

 

Opposition voices remain skeptical. Center Party MP Andrei Korobeinik argued that such a small tax cut will not influence operators’ decisions. Stability and predictability, he said, matter more than minor rate changes. He also pointed to a lack of transparency in how sports and cultural projects are currently funded.

 

The proposal has been signed by a group of Reform Party and Eesti 200 MPs, and the Riigikogu’s Finance Committee is now responsible for leading discussions. Whether Estonia becomes a true remote gambling hub will depend on how the debate unfolds in the coming months.