Estonia is not the most popular nation in Europe.  However this Baltic nation has long been respected for its advanced computer technology capabilities.  It comes as no surprise that a country so technologically adept would be so friendly and embracing toward online casinos.  By the beginning of next year Estonia intends to get fully involved in online casinos and the online gambling industry.

Granted, it is a little late in the game for Estonia; online casinos have been around for years and several European and off shore countries have already created operational and regulatory environments for the industry years ago.  However it is better late than never.  By early 2010, Estonia fully intends to issue licenses to both European and foreign operators.

Estonia’s openness to online casino operators from all over is somewhat unique.  As online casinos are being legalized and regulated across the world, a common theme is for countries to regulate online casinos but do it in such a fashion that domestic operators have an upper hand on foreign competition.  Estonia is prepared to license all operators in the European Union provided they pay the extra cost required to obtain an operating license in Estonia.  Foreign operators can obtain licensing by forming a partnership with Estonian licensed national gambling entities.

Ideally, Estonia would like to create a regulatory environment where all online casino operators and their senior management are screened through background check.  Estonia intends to do everything in its power as a regulatory body to prevent an increase in underage and problem gambling.