Europe is striking an interesting balance of countries that regulate online casinos and countries that continue to ignore their obligations to the European Union trade agreements and ban online casinos even though casino gambling is offered in their country.  While Estonia is one of the smallest countries in the European Unions, with a population of roughly 1.33 million people, it also happens to be one of the more progressive counties in the Union. 

Estonia very recently decided to regulate and legalize online casinos.  The move was strongly motivated by the fact that online casinos had the ability to generate tax revenue.  This is a point that governments manage to miss when they choose to go the prohibition route.  There are millions, even billions, to be made off of legalized online casinos.

The process will take some time.  Estonia is not quite open to outside markets yet.  At the moment Estonia’s citizens will only be able to wager legally at Estonia-based platforms.  Playtech has a solid in with the Estonia market because of their work on the Olympic Casino Group.

“We are truly glad of this opportunity to start our partnership with Olympic as the leading casino entertainment provider in Central and Eastern Europe,” said Mor Weizer, Playtech’s Executive Manager.  

Estonia will eventually be opening up their market to international business but that will not be until 2011.  In the mean time, Playtech is sure to make a great profit on the opportunity.  Though small, Estonia has the potential to be a very positive role model for online gaming in Europe.