Interpellation concerning the tax cut for online casinos (No. 806)
Session: XV Riigikogu, VI Session, Plenary Sitting
Date: 2025-11-10 17:56
Participating Politicians:
Total Speeches: 40
Membership: 15
Agenda Duration: 41m
AI Summaries: 40/40 Speeches (100.0%)
Analysis: Structured Analysis
Politicians Speaking Time
Politicians
Analysis
Summary
The Riigikogu debate focused on Interpellation No. 806, submitted to Prime Minister Kristen Michal by members of the Riigikogu (including Jaak Aab, Riina Sikkut, and Lauri Läänemets, among others), concerning the lowering of the gambling tax on online casinos. Jaak Aab, the proposer of the interpellation, emphasized that the government's plan to slash the tax rate on remote gambling by one-third is contradictory, especially considering that, at the same time, a VAT exemption for foodstuffs is not being supported. Aab highlighted the risks of increased gambling addiction, a rise in the number of debtors, and damage to the country's reputation. He referred to earlier positions held by Ministry of Finance analysts who doubted the growth of tax revenue, as well as the concerns of the Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU) regarding the complexity of controlling money laundering when companies' legal entities are located in third countries.
Prime Minister Kristen Michal responded that the draft bill was initiated by members of the Riigikogu, not the government, and its goal is to bring the accounting and tax revenue of remote gambling companies operating in Europe to Estonia in order to increase funding for culture and sports. He confirmed that additional resources have been planned for the Tax and Customs Board and the FIU to mitigate risks and check the backgrounds of license applicants. During the debate, the opposition (Anastassia Kovalenko-Kõlvart, Peeter Ernits, Helle-Moonika Helme) sharply criticized the government's priorities, calling the policy an attempt to turn Estonia into "Europe's prison and casino hub" and pitting the concessions made to casino businessmen against the cost-of-living difficulties and tax hikes faced by ordinary people.
Decisions Made 1
Decisions were not made
Most Active Speaker
Anastassia Kovalenko-Kõlvart, who posed a critical question and delivered the longest speech during the debate, accused the government of turning Estonia into a "prison and casino center" and questioned the priorities of the Reform Party's tax policy. (Left)
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Chairman Lauri Hussar introduced the third item on the agenda: an interpellation submitted to Prime Minister Kristen Michal by members of the Riigikogu, including Riina Sikkut, Lauri Läänemets, and Tanel Kiik, concerning the tax reduction for online casinos, asking Jaak Aab to proceed to the podium to present it.
AI Summary
Jaak Aab, responding to an interpellation from the Social Democrats, criticized the government's contradictory steps aimed at improving economic growth and competitiveness. He specifically highlighted the reduction of the gambling tax by one-third for online casinos, arguing that this has been prioritized over improving the livelihoods of the Estonian people. He stressed that this tax exemption raises serious concerns regarding the spread of gambling addiction, the country's reputation, and the complexity of controlling money laundering, especially given the warnings issued by the Money Laundering Data Bureau. Furthermore, he expressed doubt about whether this measure would actually deliver the promised additional funding for culture and education.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Speaker Lauri Hussar thanked the previous speaker and invited Prime Minister Kristen Michal to the Riigikogu rostrum to answer the submitted query.
Peaminister Kristen Michal
AI Summary
Prime Minister Kristen Michal responded to a Riigikogu inquiry regarding the lowering of the tax rate for remote gambling, emphasizing that the bill initiated by members of the Riigikogu aims to bring the tax revenue of European online casinos to Estonia in order to fund culture and sport. She confirmed that to mitigate money laundering risks, the resources of supervisory authorities (RAB, MTA) will be increased, and mandatory audit control and stricter reporting requirements will be established for casinos, while the tightening of advertising restrictions has not been agreed upon within the coalition.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Chairman Lauri Hussar thanked the Prime Minister and then gave the floor to Anastassia Kovalenko-Kõlvart to ask questions.
Anastassia Kovalenko-Kõlvart
Profiling Eesti Keskerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Anastassia Kovalenko-Kõlvart sharply criticizes the government's recent initiatives, such as accepting foreign prisoners and lowering the gambling tax, asking the prime minister whether these steps, which turn Estonia into a European prison and casino center, are the new "Estonian Nokia," and emphasizing the associated security and money laundering risks.
Peaminister Kristen Michal
AI Summary
Prime Minister Kristen Michal stressed that the Estonian prison system is effective and the transfer of inmates is secure. He also explained that the tax cuts designed to attract corporate bookkeeping here must be linked to conditions that allow the Tax and Customs Board and the Money Laundering Data Bureau to check the background, in accordance with the wishes of the bill's initiators.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Chairman Lauri Hussar, Helmen Kütt was called to the rostrum to deliver her presentation.
Helmen Kütt
Profiling Sotsiaaldemokraatliku Erakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Following the delay in the Prime Minister's response to her formal query, Helmen Kütt raised a question regarding the tax cut bill, emphasizing that the Ministries of Social Affairs and Finance have acknowledged the necessity of finding additional funds to address addiction issues, given that the number of users may increase and the current funding is set to expire in 2026. She then asked whether it would be possible to enshrine this provision in the law.
Peaminister Kristen Michal
AI Summary
Prime Minister Kristen Michal thanked them for the reception and confirmed that the coalition is seeking additional funds between budget readings to finance programs dealing with addiction, while emphasizing that bringing the company's accounting to Estonia, thanks to the favorable tax environment, is not connected to relocating its core business here.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Chairman Lauri Hussar Lauri Läänemets was invited to speak.
Lauri Läänemets
Profiling Sotsiaaldemokraatliku Erakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Lauri Läänemets criticizes the prime minister for the contradictory tax policy, asking why the government deems the reduction of one tax a success for society, yet refuses to lower the VAT on foodstuffs—a measure which would help prevent the middle class from becoming impoverished, boost domestic consumption (which accounts for nearly 50% of GDP), and revitalize the Estonian economy—while simultaneously demanding an explanation for this negative position.
Peaminister Kristen Michal
AI Summary
Prime Minister Kristen Michal emphasizes that Estonia’s long-term competitive tax system has yielded significant benefits for the country by attracting businesses, and the purpose of the current discussion is to identify targeted solutions. These solutions aim to use the same mechanism to direct business activities in specific sectors toward Estonia, ensuring that the resulting income can finance cultural and sports investments.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Chairman Lauri Hussar gave the floor to Jaak Aab to begin his address.
AI Summary
Jaak Aab casts doubt on the Prime Minister's conviction that all risks associated with gambling have been mitigated, citing an official from the Money Laundering Data Bureau who confirmed that they have problems controlling online casinos operating in Estonia, and that checking the accounting and assessing money laundering risks is practically impossible for legal entities located in third countries (such as the Cayman Islands).
Peaminister Kristen Michal
AI Summary
Prime Minister Kristen Michal explains that the bill's concept is strictly based on the principle that only those companies whose background can be checked by the Tax and Customs Board and the Money Laundering Data Bureau are welcome in Estonia, emphasizing that if the background check fails, these companies will be kept out of the country, and the agencies will be granted additional powers to achieve this.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Chairman Lauri Hussar gave the floor to Peeter Ernits, inviting him to the podium or to speak.
Peeter Ernits
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Peeter Ernits expresses concern that the crucial plan to bring merchant vessels under the Estonian flag—a plan vital for Estonia as a maritime nation—has stalled, falling far short of the initially set goals. He asks the Prime Minister why the focus is instead on activities that shape the country's image as a "prison and casino state."
Peaminister Kristen Michal
AI Summary
Prime Minister Kristen Michal confirmed that the e-residency program is successful, bringing revenue and investments to Estonia. He also stressed that while the necessary background checks required additional funding, the program remains a vital initiative. Furthermore, he firmly supported strengthening the maritime sector, seeing its immense potential for the nation's economy and competitiveness, which efforts have been made to advance through the tax system and various support programs.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Chairman Lauri Hussar called the next speaker, Andre Hanimäe, to the podium, giving him the floor.
Andre Hanimägi
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Andre Hanimägi raises the question of the risks associated with the draft law on the financing of culture and sports, noting that although the initiators' desire is to bring additional funds into these sectors, the Ministry of Finance estimates there is a risk that the money might actually decrease instead. He therefore asks the Prime Minister to clarify where the government will source the money should the negative scenario materialize, and whether it is possible to prevent a reduction in funding for the culture sector.
Peaminister Kristen Michal
AI Summary
Prime Minister Kristen Michal confirms that the goal of attracting businesses with a lower tax rate is correct, despite the complexity of the sector and changing times, and refutes fears regarding the removal of cultural funding, promising instead additional cuts if necessary, while referencing the government's previous success in cost-saving and fiscal prudence.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Chairman Lauri Hussar gave the floor to Anti Allas, inviting him to the podium.
Anti Allas
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Anti Allas emphasizes the decades-long devastating impact of the quick loan industry on Estonian society, pointing to broken families and tens of thousands of debtors, and voices concern that the bill currently under discussion must not solely benefit a select few, which would result in policies harmful to the state.
Peaminister Kristen Michal
AI Summary
Prime Minister Kristen Michal supports the idea of bringing the accounting and higher value-added activities of businesses operating elsewhere to Estonia, in order to generate revenue that would broadly support culture and sports, considering this an important pillar for the sustainability of the state.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Chairman Lauri Hussar thanked the Prime Minister, concluded the question round directed to him, then opened the floor for debate, and invited Anastassia Kovalenko-Kõlvart to the Riigikogu podium as the first speaker.
Anastassia Kovalenko-Kõlvart
Profiling Eesti Keskerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Anastassia Kovalenko-Kõlvart sharply criticizes the government’s plan to turn Estonia into Europe’s prison and casino hub, calling it an unworthy narrative that ignores critical problems like rising relative poverty, the struggle of people to make ends meet, and the need to preserve domestic food production. She accuses the government of having a tax policy that favors banks and casino businessmen while running a cynical election campaign funded by borrowed money, which only returns to the people a minuscule fraction of the funds taken away by tax increases.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Chairman Lauri Hussar requested two minutes of additional time to continue his presentation.
Anastassia Kovalenko-Kõlvart
Profiling Eesti Keskerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Anastassia Kovalenko-Kõlvart criticizes the government for the lack of a strategic economic plan and the irresponsible use of borrowed money to cover current expenses, noting that this repeats the pre-election tax "circus" and will lead to new tax hikes. She points out that the economy is being managed merely by patching up the deficits caused by previous poor decisions, and emphasizes that such activity is neither sustainable nor helpful in finding a new "Nokia" for Estonia.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Chairman Lauri Hussar thanked the previous speaker and subsequently gave the floor to Peeter Ernits, asking him to approach the Riigikogu rostrum.
Peeter Ernits
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Peeter Ernits criticized the historically low credibility of Kristen Michal's government, calling the idea of raising tax revenue (such as the online casino bill) grotesque within this context. He further pointed to major failures, both in developing the maritime sector and in ignoring the demographic crisis, which, in turn, renders the government's rhetoric regarding Estonia as a "frontline state" and its actual defense capability highly contradictory.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Chairman Lauri Hussar posed a short and specific question regarding whether the audience or the participants needed additional time.
Peeter Ernits
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Peeter Ernits confirmed his wish or agreement with a short and polite phrase.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Chairman Lauri Hussar briefly and specifically requested three minutes of extra time.
Peeter Ernits
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Peeter Ernits sharply criticizes the government’s priorities, deeming the ridiculous increase in support for disabled people an insult, and stressing that casinos and foreign prisoners cannot be more important than merchant ships sailing under the Estonian flag. He further accuses Kristen Michal of dragging both the state and the party into the absolute mud league.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Speaker Lauri Hussar thanked the previous speaker and then handed the Riigikogu podium over to Helle-Moonika Helme.
Helle-Moonika Helme
Profiling Eesti Konservatiivse Rahvaerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Helle-Moonika Helme sharply criticizes the government for recently raising 26 different taxes, only to now plan a tax cut—not for ordinary people, but for online casinos—justifying the move by claiming it supports culture. She labels this initiative a political "Brezhnev package" and the result of lobbying, arguing that it will not function as expected.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Chairman Lauri Hussar briefly requested three minutes of extra time.
Helle-Moonika Helme
Profiling Eesti Konservatiivse Rahvaerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Helle-Moonika Helme sharply criticizes the government, which has imposed 26 new taxes in recent years and pigheadedly refuses to lower the VAT on foodstuffs, for example. Instead of helping the populace, however, the government is offering tax cuts to online casinos alongside merely cosmetic measures. She advises the government to get its act together and implement genuinely beneficial tax cuts for the Estonian people, rather than granting favors to lobby groups.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Chairman Lauri Hussar announced that since no further requests to speak had been received, not even from the Prime Minister, he concluded the debate and closed the discussion of the third item on the agenda.