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Estonia Casino Guide – This is the EMTA License
Top Estonian Casinos 2024
Table of Contents
About The Estonian Tax & Customs Board
Casino and Sportsbook operators that wish to offer gambling services to Estonian citizens go thorough a thorough vetting processes to ensure compliance with regulatory standards. Approved operators are monitored on a regular basis so the EMTA can step in to address any potential violations.
What is an EMTA Casino?
An EMTA casino holds a gambling permit issued by the Estonian Tax and Customs Board (Eesti Maksu ja Tolliamet). With this license, casinos can offer their services to players from all around the world.
The main attraction of Estonian online casinos is that they offer better terms for players than many of the local licenses in Europe. The gambling laws in Estonia aren’t as restrictive towards players. For example, there is no cap on how many bonuses or how big bonuses you can receive.
Likewise, all game types are allowed and popular slot features like turboplay, bonus buy and autoplay are permitted. When it comes to payments, you can choose from instant banking, credit cards, e-wallets or even crypto – without any mandatory deposit limits. Let’s also not forget that winnings are tax-free for EU citizens.
Players get all this freedom, without having to sacrifice on the safety. EMTA is known to be the safest license for EU players. The authority takes responsible gambling seriously, helps players in disputes, and will revoke the license of casinos that misbehave.
The Different Types of EMTA Licenses
The gambling law in Estonia is pretty straight-forward. There are two types of EMTA licenses, and casinos that want to offer gambling in the country need to apply to both.
Activity License
This is the first license which all operators need to obtain. The only exceptions are organized commercial lotteries which only require a notice of economic activities to the Estonian Tax and Customs Board. The activity license is needed for all games of chance and operators need one permit per game. So, for instance if they offer casino games and sports betting, they need 2 separate permits.
Operator Permit
The Estonian operator permit is only good for one location or for remote gambling. So for instance, a casino housing two physical establishments needs 2 permits whereas an EMTA online casino operator only needs one. All online casinos owned by this operator can share the same permit.
Mandatory Requirements to get an EMTA License
In order for a casino operator to receive a permit from the Estonian Tax & Customs Board, they need to apply and meet the following criteria:
- Have a server based in Estonia
- Offer safe and secure payment methods
- Work only with certified software providers
- Have provably fair games
- Encourage responsible gambling
- Use encryptions that protect players data
Benefits of Playing at EMTA Casinos
We already mentioned some pros of playing at the various EMTA Casinos online. Let’s dive deeper and see what exactly you as a player can benefit from when choosing a casino or sportsbook with the EMTA license. The main advantages are:
- Get more bonuses – Players can get more than one welcome bonus at EMTA Casinos. It’s not uncommon to get reload bonuses and other perks that can be used more than once.
- Better promotions – Aside from the welcome offer, many EMTA licensed sites offer loyalty programs with level-up rewards and cashback. VIP-clubs awards the most loyal customers with exclusive perks.
- Keep what you win – Since Estonia is an EU member state, players from most European countries can enjoy tax-free winnings.
- Enjoy less limitations – EMTA Casinos treat their players like adults. You decide how much you deposit and if you want to play slots with tubospin/autospin activated.
- Fair games – To comply with the EMTA license, online casinos need to offer fair games with RNG. All EMTA Casinos are checked by watchdog organizations that ensure the random outcome of all games of chance.
- Dispute resolution – Similar to other respectable licensing authorities, the EMTA investigates all complaints to resolve issues between players and operators.
- Customizable self-exclusion – Players can impose restrictions on themselves and exclude themselves from all EMTA Casinos for up to 36 months. After a restriction has expired, it can be deleted within 24 hours. It is possible to take a pause from all types of gambling, or only from one type.
Are There Any Downsides with the Estonian License?
We’re all about showing both sides of the coin here at Slotsoo and while there are a lot of upsides to playing at EMTA Casinos, you should also be aware of potential downsides. For one, depending on where you live you might have to report your winnings on your tax return. Laws differ for every country so make sure to check up on the tax laws of where you reside to avoid any surprises when declaring your taxes.
Estonians need to be 21 to gamble,
You also need to be 21 to gamble in Estonia, so if you’re 18-20 you’re not allowed and will have to pick an alternative like casinos with an MGA license instead.
Another potential con is the higher deposit limit for some European players which could pose a problem to people suffering from gambling addiction. Lastly, not all players can self-exclude through the e-MTA services.
To apply, a player needs an Estonian national ID or an eID from another European country. North Americans, for instance, will not be able to put restrictions on their gambling via the EMTA web services. If you live in North America, casinos with a Kahnawake license is a good alternative to EMTA Casinos in this regard.
5 Best EMTA Casinos – This Month’s Top Picks
In case you’re having a hard time choosing between the sites in our longer list of the best EMTA Casinos, here’s our top picks for September 2024. These sites should suit most player types and for your convenience, we’ve divided them up into different categories.
1. Trickz Casino – Best Promotions at an EMTA Casino
Bonus: 100 free spins on first deposit & 200 spins on 2nd
Trickz is a popular EMTA Casino that offer a good number of games along with promotions like reload bonuses and Weekend Recharge events. They also run a year long Spinoleague tournament with cash prizes of up to an impressive 10 000 000€. Aside from a great reward scheme, Trickz offers quick withdrawal times and flexible payments with a range of methods.
Wisho – Best EMTA Casino for Free Spins
Bonus: 350 free spins
Wisho offers weekly cashback and a great loyalty program with perks like wager free spins, VIP cashback rates and special VIP offers. Here you can play casino and live casino titles from some of the best providers along with some exclusive Wisho picks that offer the potential of huge payouts. Loyal players also benefit from 24/7 support and a personal VIP manager seeing to their every need.
Slotti Casino – Best EMTA Casino for Cashback
Bonus: 15% cashback daily
Slotti is a Nordic themed EMTA Casino with the blue and white colors of Finland. It’s particularly popular thanks to its generous cashback scheme which sees players receiving up to 15% of their losses back every day. There’s also a recurring Weekend Free Spins fest and a range of exciting seasonal promotions to keep players entertained throughout the year.
Red Dice – Best EMTA licensed Sportsbook & Casino Hybrid
Bonus: 200% up to 1 000€
Red Dice is an EMTA licensed hybrid platform offering both casino games and a complete Sportsbook. Here you can enjoy live sports with competitive odds in a range of popular markets and a user-friendly Bet Builder that’s really easy to learn. Unique features include a ComboBoost feature that doubles your winnings and Early Payout when your team scores two goals over your bet.
GrandX – The EMTA Casino with the Best VIP Program
Bonus: 1 000€ + 250 free spins
What GrandX lacks in visuals, it makes up for with their exclusive VIP Club. The site looks like something straight out of the 90’s but play long enough and you’ll soon find out why many European players love this site. VIP members get a range of perks including faster payouts, exclusive tournaments, exclusive bonuses and monthly loyalty offers in the form of cash, free spins and reload bonuses.
EMTA Casino Bonuses & Promotions
As we’ve mentioned, many players choose EMTA Casinos for the bonuses which are often generous and without much in terms of limitations. The Estonian Tax & Customs Board allow casinos and Sportsbooks to offer more than one bonus per player, which means you can enjoy things like reload bonuses and loyalty schemes. Below we list the most popular bonuses you can find.
Welcome Bonuses & Deposit Bonuses
EMTA Casinos and Sportsbooks like to welcome new players and encourage them to sign up to their site by offering a welcome bonus. This can be anything from cash and free spins to cashback or free bets depending on which casino it is. Most commonly it requires a smaller deposit of 10-20€ in order to qualify.
Example: An EMTA Casino offers 100% up to 1 000€. You deposit the full amount and receive your deposit + bonus = 2 000€.
If you want a bonus of this kind, check out our toplist of the best EMTA Casinos further up. Just make sure to read the terms and conditions of any bonus you accept so you’ll know about potential wagering requirements.
No Deposit Bonuses
Although most do, not all bonuses at EMTA Casinos require a deposit. As a rule of thumb, however, this type of ”no deposit bonus” are usually smaller and come with worse terms for the player.
Example: An EMTA Casino offers 10€ when you register an account with the site. The wagering requirement is 55x which is 25x more than the standard for bonuses that DO require a deposit.
A high wagering requirement means that you’re likely to lose your bonus before you can withdraw your winnings. So, in many cases it can be more worthwhile to choose a bonus that requires a small deposit if it can offer better terms.
Free Spins
Free spins is another popular type of promotion that can be found at many EMTA Casinos online. You get a set number of spins in a chosen slot or jackpot and can keep what you potentially win. Typically, you’ll be asked to make a deposit between 10-20€ in order to take advantage of the offer.
Example: You’re offered 250 free spins in the Gates of Olympus slot when you sign up to a new EMTA Casino. You make the qualifying deposit of 10€ and receive 50 free spins over the first 5 days.
Free spins can come with or without a wagering requirement attached, the latter being much more attractive for obvious reasons.
Reload Bonuses
EMTA Casinos generally like to reward continued play which means players can benefit from what is known as reload bonuses. These are cash rewards or other types of perks you get in exchange for doing a subsequent deposit.
Example: A casino with an EMTA license offers 100% up to 1 000€, 75% up to 500€ and 50% up to 250€ on your 2nd, 3rd and 4th deposits.
Some EMTA Casinos only reward your first and 2nd deposit but look out for sites that give more than one reload bonus – that’s where the real value is.
VIP Bonuses
Another popular type of bonus found at many EMTA Casinos which is typically valued higher than your average casino bonus. At the same time, you need to spend more to get it. VIP bonuses are designed for high-rollers and as such, is not always listed on the front page of the casino. Instead, some operators opt for a You-will-hear-from-us approach.
Example: As a high roller sports bettor and soccer fan you’re approached by a VIP manager at an EMTA Casino. They offer you a tailor-made bonus consisting of front row tickets to the Champions League final.
More commonly, VIP bonuses include larger cash sums, high amount of free spins and high-value free bets and cashback. Again, what you can get differs widely between EMTA Casinos and Sportsbooks.
Cashback & Free Bets
EMTA Sportsbooks and hybrid platforms typically like to attract players with a sports bonus of some kind. The two most popular ones are cashback and free bets. Cashback is a bonus where you get a percentage (%) of your losses back whereas free bets are just that – bets you can make without paying.
Example: A Sportsbook with an EMTA license offers 15% cashback on Mondays and a welcome bonus consisting of a 10€ free bet.
A common bonus term for free bets is that you only keep what you win minus the value of the free bet. So if in our example you win 100€ you can keep 100€-10€ = 90€.
Software Providers & Game Types at EMTA Casinos
Estonia isn’t as big on gambling as other countries so when playing at EMTA Casinos you won’t come across many domestic game developers. There is Foxium and we’ve heard EGT Interactive have roots in Tallinn too. Other than that, most of the casino software providers are based in Malta, Sweden and North America.
Estonia doesn’t have a B2B license for game providers and instead it is up to the casinos to show proof that all the games they offer are fair. This is done by showing that the game provider has a license from another recognized jurisdiction, and by showing certifications that the games have been approved by independent testing organizations. Meaning, you will find all the popular providers such as Pragmatic Play, Play’n GO, Nolimit City, Netent, Relax, Evolution, Thunderkick, Hacksaw Gaming.
It is not uncommon to come across an Estonia casino offering 3000+ or even 4000+ titles in their game catalogue. Let’s take a look at the biggest game categories:
- Slots – Slots is the most popular type of casino game at EMTA Casinos, and they often make up 90% or more of the game offering. Just like there are all kinds of players, there are all kinds of slots with themes ranging from sci-fi and Hollywood to Leprechauns, ancient Egypt and cartoons.
- Jackpots – Jackpots are a type of slot machine that can pay out massive amounts in a single spin. They utilize either a fixed prize pool or a progressive jackpot sum that increases with every bet. Needless to say, jackpots are very popular and exist in abundance at most EMTA Casino sites.
- Table Games – Whether you like card games, dice games or prefer the Roulette wheel, you’ll find plenty of options when it comes to table games. For instance, you can play Craps, Roulette, Blackjack, and various rule variations of poker including Video Poker.
- Live Casino Games – Players looking for a more immersive experience will find that most EMTA Casinos include a complete live casino with games featuring live dealers and croupiers. Games are hosted by real people, and you can play the same table games mentioned above but also a variety of exciting game shows.
- Other Games – The games we’ve mentioned above are the most popular amongst players, but some casinos with an EMTA license also offer other kinds of games. Some of them are old and just aren’t as popular, others are new and haven’t seen much exposure yet. For instance, you have your fixed prize games like Keno and progressive Crash games but also games with fancy names like Bingo, Slingo and Plinko.
Deposit & Withdrawal Methods at EMTA Casinos
The average EMTA Casino give players a large list of payment methods to choose between when making transactions. For instance, you can pay with cards like Visa and Mastercard but also use eWallets like Mifinity, Skrill, Neteller and Revolut. Below we’ve listed some of the most popular choices.
- Visa & Mastercard – most EMTA Casinos accept both the major credit cards which are good options for speedy deposits. Withdrawals take a little longer than other methods at between 1-5 days.
- E-wallets – Like the ones mentioned further up are popular for their security. Some players also find that they help separate the personal economy with the gaming budget.
- Instant Banking – Another fast and secure option which comes with the option to choose an account other than your checking account. This is perfect if you want to keep your gaming funds separate from your other funds.
- Prepaid Cards – Paysafecard is the most popular one which you can fill up using cash in retail stores or online. It’s one of the safest options and great if you’re looking to use cash but can be inconvenient and slower compared to other alternatives.
- Cryptocurrency Payments – Some EMTA Casinos accept cryptocurrency allowing you to pay using Bitcoin, Bitcoin Cash, Litecoin, Ethereum and/or other altcoins. No crypto is 100% anonymous, but some handle transactions very fast and most come with low fees since they’re decentralized.
The KYC Process at EMTA Licensed Casinos
Know Your Customer regulations are common in countries that have anti money-laundering laws and Estonia is no exception. When playing at an EMTA Casino you might have to prove your identity and verify where your money is coming from at some point.
Joining a casino site will typically require you to input some details like your full legal name, a phone number and your address. This can be annoying but once your phone number or email is verified, you can log in with a username and password.
Withdrawing larger sums may trigger more checks and the EMTA Casino might ask you for an ID or bank statement. You can also verify your identity with a passport or a drivers license.
Why KYC Checks are Necessary
It can feel frustrating having to identify yourself but it’s important to remember it’s all for a good reason. The casinos need to know who their customers are so they can know the money comes from a legitimate source.
Even if most want to make it hassle-free for players and would rather skip the KYC, operators are forced to perform checks due to international laws. Even if it’s tiresome, it’s also beneficial for you as a player. Checks give you better security and ensures that money is being paid out to the right person.
Once you’ve completed the KYC process at an EMTA Casino, you won’t have to do it again unless you change casino sites.
How Self-Exclusion Works at EMTA Casinos
One of the main objectives of a licensing authority is to keep players safe from the potential harm that can come from gambling. To protect players, the Estonian Tax & Customs Board offer the ability to exclude yourself from all Sportsbooks and online casinos with an EMTA license.
Self-exclusion come without terms but once you choose a period between 6 and 36 months you can’t change it. Only when the exclusion expires can you delete it by applying through the e-services environment or e-MTA for short. Your restriction will then be deleted within 24 hours after which you’ll gain access EMTA casinos again.
How to Exclude Yourself from All Estonian Casinos Online
If you want to exclude yourself from all EMTA Casinos online at the same time, you can apply through the Estonian Tax & Customs Boards e-services environment. Estonian nationals can use a national ID, Smart ID, or mobile ID while players in other European countries need to log in with an EU eID. Here’s how to do it:
- Go to the e-MTA in the link above and follow the on-screen instructions to log in.
- Go to Registers and Inquiries -> Registration -> Registration of gambling restrictions.
- Choose a period between 6 and 36 months and verify your choice.
Players can exclude themselves from games of change, lotteries and toto (sports betting), but not for instant lotteries. If you want to lift a restriction you can do so after it expires by submitting the form Application for Removal from the Gambling Self-Exclusion List.
Are Winnings from EMTA Casinos Tax-Free?
It depends on where you’re from so if you’re unsure, refer to the tax laws in your region. Laws differ in each country but players from EU countries get tax-free winnings since Estonia is in fact a member of the European Union. At least that’s how it is according to EU legislation, and there hasn’t been any union-level court ruling as of 2024 stating the opposite.
But some member countries, like Sweden for example, claims that its citizens must pay 30% tax from an EMTA casino, if the casino tagets Sweden in any way (for instance by offering Swedish customer support or SEK currency) while being unlicensed by the Swedish Gambling Authority. But if the casino disrespected another EU country’s gambling laws in tis way, then EMTA would of course intervene as the serious authority it is. So this scenario feels very theoretical, and one might also argue it’s an attempt of fear mongering.
How to Pick Between the Best EMTA Casinos
Compared to casinos with a Curacao license, there aren’t as many operators holding an EMTA license. That said, there are still a lot of permit holders and legit EMTA Casinos which can make it difficult to choose. If you’re having a hard time picking a site, reading reviews and comparing our toplisted operators further up can help.
Many players choose sites based on the welcome bonus, but you should also make sure the casino has a good number of the types of games you want to play. It’s also important that the site offers a payment method that you can use.
If you click the ”View More” button on each listed site in our toplist you can see information about deposit options, game providers and more which can help you narrow down your options. Lastly, many EMTA Casinos offer free demos of slots and table games which can be a good way to see if you like a site before investing real money.
Pay’n Play Casinos are Popular in Estonia
Pay’n Play Casinos are popular in many European countries and Estonia is no exception. If you’re new to the concept, it’s a way to gamble without having to register a traditional player account first. Instead, an account is created for you in the background process when you ID yourself using a Smart ID, mobile ID or similar.
How is it done? The necessary information is automatically collected from a database that belongs to the government of Estonia. This way, you can simply input a number you want to deposit, verify with your ID and begin playing immediately.
Pay’n Play with Trustly
EMTA Pay’n Play Casinos utilize payment providers like Trustly that allow a direct connection to be made between you and your bank. This way, you simply ID yourself during checkout and the funds will be released immediately.
Keep in mind that Trustly at EMTA Casinos is limited to Estonia’s version of the payment method. It works with banks like Swedbank Estonia and SEB Estonia, but it doesn’t necessarily work with the same banks in other EU countries.
For instance, Trustly was originally from Sweden but according to Swedish law the payment service provider isn’t allowed to offer its services to Swedes visiting EMTA Casinos. That is, unless the casinos are also licensed in Sweden.
The EMTA License Compared to Other Gaming Licenses
EMTA is very similar to MGA in most areas. Both offer a high level of security and player support, while also offering a high level of freedom when it comes to game mechanics or bonus types etcetera. Both are also allowed to offer crypto payments, even though most operators stick with Pay N Play solutions, since that’s what most players prefer.
As we mentioned earlier, the main draw of EMTA casinos is the lack of restrictions and limitations compared to most local licenses. While many players see less limitations as a good thing, others might see it as a lack of responsible gambling measures.
We always encourage people to gamble responsibly, and if you feel that you need more safety measures, such as deposit limits for example, then we would remind you that most countries have a local license or state-owned monopoly that has player protection at its core (that’s the reason they are allowed to have a closed market that goes against EU’s basic principle of open markets).
We do lift the hat for EMTA for offering self-exclusion, that you can choose to apply only on one type of gambling. Most experts class slots as a riskier game type than for example toto, and it sucks to have to choose between either all or nothing. To our knowledge, Estonia is the only license offering this flexibility.
The threshold to take a break is also lower, since you know you can cancel it at a later date if you feel better. A stark contrast to Kahnawake who only offers a irrevocable self-exclusion, or MGA and Curacao who have no license-wide system.
Estonia Casino FAQ
What is an EMTA Casino?
It’s a casino with an EMTA license, i.e. a gambling issued by the Estonian Tax and Customs Board. Estonian casinos accept players from many countries and offer good game selection, quick payments, loyalty bonuses, and tax-free winnings.
Are EMTA Casinos legit?
Yes, the Estonian license is one of the safest ones out there, and you can rest assured the games are fair and that your personal details are protected properly. We verify the license validity for all casinos listed on Slotsoo, and you can also do it yourself by checking the authority’s list of legal gambling operators.
I have a problem with an EMTA Casino. What do I do?
First, you should contact the casino directly and try to solve it with them. If that doesn’t help, contact the Estonian Tax and Customs Board at hasart@emta.ee. Explain your problem and be as detailed as possible so they can better assist you with your case.
How do I know if I play under the Estonian license?
Always check the casino’s footer. It’s common that Estonian online casinos also have a non-EU license like Curacao for example, in order to reach a bigger customer base. Which license you play under depends on your country of residence, and the license also can determine if you need to pay tax or not on your winnings.
Do I have to pay tax on my winnings?
That depends on where you live. According to EU law, businesses from all member countries should be treated the same. So if winnings from casinos licensed in one member country are tax free, then casinos from Estonia are also tax-free for citizens in that member country.
Do Estonia Casinos offer bonuses?
Yes, most Estonian casinos online offer a welcome bonus (often wager-free) along with recurring promotions that reward your continued stay at the site. This can be anything from cash and free spins to reload bonuses and more.
