Estonia’s parliament the Riigikogu yesterday (3 December) approved the previously announced slashing of the country’s gambling tax from 6% to 4%.
Voting 51-31 in favour, the parliament set the groundwork for Estonia’s ambition to become Europe’s latest major gambling hub.
It follows Estonia’s government approving the draft legislation at the end of October, reversing earlier plans to hike the tax to 7%.
The bill had seen stiff opposition from its opponents, who warned it could take away existing culture funding and lead to future oversight risks.
Led by MP and ex-basketball player Tanel Tein – who serves in the Finance Committee, the goals of the change are to modernise gambling rules, raise transparency and eventually increase tax revenue by attracting international iGaming operators to the country.
