A senior adviser in Estonia’s parliament lost her job following a costly mistake in drafting gambling legislation, leading to a significant revenue shortfall for the state. The error, found in the Gambling Tax Act approved in December, incorrectly exempted online casino operators from taxation in 2026, resulting in an estimated EUR 4 million loss in expected revenue. Though the legislation has been amended, the financial impact remains. Antero Habicht, Riigikogu Chancellery Director, confirmed the dismissal, citing not only the legislative error but other issues identified in an internal review as reasons for the decision. Despite the adviser’s early identification of the mistake in January, it was not communicated to senior officials, becoming public through media coverage. The case has sparked political tensions, with opposition figures arguing that the adviser has been scapegoated. Finance Committee member Aivar Kokk accused the governing coalition of shifting blame. The adviser had reportedly warned about the rushed preparation of the draft law, emphasizing the need for precision in legislation. She cited workload pressures and unclear reporting procedures as factors in the oversight. The incident has raised concerns about Estonia’s legislative process amid its efforts to become a competitive hub for the iGaming industry. Despite a quick legislative fix, the event highlights the risks of hasty policymaking in a financially significant sector.
- SCCG Management. The Gambling Industry’s Global Connector. Access Here.
- Source: SCCGManagement.com