Version: 26022003
Editor: Franka Pals
Publisher: Novamedia
Disclaimer: Novamedia disclaims all liability for information provided within the ”Novamedia European Gaming and Lottery Files”.The information is supplied by independent journalistic sources. No parts of these files may be reproduced in any form by print, photo print, microfilm or otherwise, or re-distributed electronically in any form without written permission from the publisher.
Estonia is the most Nordhern country of the three Baltic states, located in Eastern Europe and bordered by the Baltic Sea and the Gulf of Finland, between Latvia and Russia. The Capital is Tallinn, a harbour city looking over the Gulf of Finland. Estonia is the proud owner of more than 1,500 islands in the Baltic Sea.
After centuries of Swedish and Russian rule, Estonia attained independence in 1918. Forcibly incorporated into the USSR in 1940, it regained its freedom in 1991 with the collapse of the Soviet Union. Since the last Russian troops left in 1994, Estonia has been free to promote economic and political ties with Western Europe. The Estonian language is the only official language, however the Russian, Ukrainian, English and Finnish languages are also spoken.
The main sectors of Estonian economy are oil-shale energy, telecommunications, textiles, chemical products, banking, services, food and fishing, timber, shipbuilding, electronics, and transportation. Following a period of decline caused by the restructuring of the economy, Estonian has been experiencing a strong economic growth since 1994.
Due to the cooling of the world's economy, the Ministry of Finance expects (October, 2001) an actual growth of 4% for the year 2002, instead of 5% as predicted earlier.
The economic growth projection for the year 2001 was also amended by the ministry from 4.8% to 4.5%. The amended growth projection is connected to the downgraded projections of economic growth of Estonia's major trading partners.
On 24 October the Riigikogu, the unicameral Parliament, adopted amendments to the Income Tax Act and to the Social Tax Act, increasing the maximum rate of de ductible income from 50,000 kroons wished by the Government to 100,000 kroons. This year the Tax Board received 478 declarations in which the sum of the deductions was over 100,000 kroons, while over four times as many deductions over 50,000 kroons were declared.
On 24 October the Riigikogu adopted the amended Accounting Act, which established accountancy principles for businesses based on internationally recognised principles. The amending of the Accounting Act will help regulate the economic environment and aid information acquisition on entrepreneurs, while establishing consolidation commitments for entrepreneurs other than those listed on the stock exchange and credit institutions. The purpose of the new Securities Market Act adopted in the Riigikogu on October19, is to establish the legal regulation of the securities market corresponding to EU and international standards. The new act came into force on January 1, 2002, with 30 implementation acts that must guarantee the smooth and efficient functioning of the Estonian securities market, as well as its transparency, reliability and integration into other equivalent markets.
The Tallinn Stock Exchange (TSE) implemented the HEX trading system on February 25, 2002, together with introducing the Euro as the trading currency. HEX operates the national securities and derivatives exchange and central securities depository in Finland. HEX is the strategic shareholder of Tallinn Stock Exchange.
Estonia hopes to join the EU during the next round of enlargement tentatively set for 2004.
| Population: | 1,356,000 (1 Jan 2003.) (Source: Statistics of Estonia) |
|---|---|
| Age Structure | 0-14 years: 16.4% (male 118,603; female 114,102) |
| Currency: | Estonian kroon (EEK) 1 Euro (EUR) = 15.62 Estonian kroon (EEK) 1 US Dollar (USD) = 14.46 Estonian kroon (EEK) 1 Estonian kroon (EEK) = 0.07 US Dollar (USD) 1 Estonian kroon (EEK) = 0.06 Euro (EUR) (14.03.2003) |
| GPD | purchasing power parity - $14.3 billion (2001 est.) GDP - real growth rate: 4.7% (2001 est.) GDP - per capita: purchasing power parity - $10,000 (2001 est.) |
| Internet: | Internet Service Providers (ISPs): 38 (2001). Internet users: 540,000 (2001). Estonia ranks among the top ten countries in the world with regard to the use and distribution of the web: 40 % of the Estonian population uses the web in one or another manner. 30 % have a computer at home, and 20 % have Internet at home (May 2002). 90 % of all people working in the public sector have a computerised work environment. The government is strongly promoting the use of the Internet, and it regards such use as a civil right. Estonia has an e-government which performs virtually all of its communications electronically. Esto nia is one of the most e-ready countries. 90% of all banking transactions take place electronically, 32 % use Internet banking (at the end of 2001, total of private and business use). |
| Telephones | main lines in use: 501,691 (2000). Mobile cellular: 711,000 (2001). There is an average of 1 fixed connection per family. At the end of 2001, 54.3 % had a mobile telephone connection. There has been a great deal of investment in telecommunications infrastructure. Optical fibre cables throughout the country, direct undersea connections with Sweden and Finland and direct links with Russia and Lithuania guarantee top quality in international communication. |
| Other | Unemployment rate: 11.3% (4th quarter 2002) |
Estonia is regulated by the Lottery Law approved in 1994. A lottery is a game of chance following the rules established by a lottery operator. The winning of a person participating in a lottery depends on numbers, symbols or pictures determined by a draw or by some other act based on chance.
Further to the law in force, the second attribute of a lottery is that a lottery can be operated only with a charitable purpose and with an operating licence issued by Ministry of Finances or by regional authorities. Lotteries with a prize fund exceeding 15,000 USD can be operated only by bodies authorised by Government of the Republic or by public-legitimate bodies authorised by a nominal special act.
The Ministry of Finances having superior control over lotteries has the right to consider any game as a lottery if the game corresponds to the lottery concept.In the Cultural Endowment of Estonia Act, Chapter II, general provisions are made for Formation of assets of Cultural Endowment:
The revenue of the Cultural Endowment comprises a.o.
The Law determines following categories:
The 'Law on Lottery, June 15, 1994' sets forth the legal framework for lotteries in Estonia. The 'Gambling Tax Act, 13 March 2002' contains the legislation on taxation of games of chance in Estonia.
Licenses
Unlike many European countries, the Lottery Law currently in force in Estonia does not establish the state lottery monopoly. In accordance of the Bill, the state has the authority to operate lotteries. The state can delegate this authority to the operators mentioned in the Law.
To secure the legal guarantees for participants in a lottery, the Bill establishes more effective requirements for the operators; restricts the circle of persons qualified to operate lotteries and establishes the minimal capital stock required from the bodies applying for an operation licence and also of guaranteed prize money. A lottery is to be operated on the basis of one-time and fixed-term licence issued by the Minister of Finances.
The Bill also defines the concept "Lottery operation” involving one or more of the following activities:
The defined concept of "Lottery operation” allows to require the obeisance to the Law also from the bodies, who are involved at least with one of the above-mentioned activities, i.e. retailers and agents and so keep the lottery operation under government control.
As the different lottery games subjected to the Law, in addition to classical lottery, number and instant games toto (sports betting) and commercial lottery are to be included.
The Bill regulates more precisely the operation of commercial lottery keeping in view both consumer and lottery market protection. The operation of a commercial lottery requires a licence, with fixed minimum capital stock for the operator and limited prize money. The operator of a commercial lottery is to guarantee his existence and maintaining to be able to pay out the prize money.
In order to enhance the security of the lottery business, the Bill establishes a restriction for the persons connected with the operator regarding their participation in a lottery. The revised Bill regulates more precisely the control over lottery operation and differentiates penalties regarding separate offences.
The Gaming Tax Bill regulates also tax payment on commercial and entertaining lotteries. Till now, the lack of an adequate regulated taxation has caused also the lack of control over commercial lotteries, as the State does not earn any profit on it.
Charitable, cultural, environmental and other similar projects receive support from lotteries through the special tax required from the operators - the Gaming Tax. The Tax payment and distribution are regulated by the Gaming Tax Law approved in 1995. This law establishes the tax rate 11% of turnover of number lotteries and 16% of turnover of the other lottery categories.
Development costs/revenues lottery
Website: www.eestiloto.ee
Year Lottery Founded: 1971
Sales FY 1997: 135.6 million kroons
Sales FY 1998: 121.3 million kroons
Sales FY 1999: 102,0 million kroons
Sales FY 2000: 115,4 million kroons
Number of Employees: 52
Games Offered: Instants - Lotto - Keno - Bingo - Other lottery products.
Proceeds: Arts and culture - Education - Science - Sports
The website is in the Lithuanian and Russian Language. Eesti Loto is a member of the European Lotteries and the WLA.
Eesti Loto, the state lottery, is the largest lottery and has a market share of around 95%. The rest of the Estonian lottery market is in the hands of Bristol. Bristol has existed for some time already and offers only instant and breakopen games. Because it is only a minor player, Bristol will be ignored in the following.
For years the respective market shares have been 95 % for Eesti Loto and 5 % for Bristol. Since 2000, Eesti Loto has been a member of the World Lottery Organisation (LWA) and offers the following games : instant and breakopen games (Bumerang, Horoskoop, Kroonika, Lottosport, Naksti, Onneratas, Onnesoov, Presindendiloto and Vido) Loto Viktor extra, Viking Lotto, Bingo Loto and Keno-Loto.
The lottery market
In 2001 the total sales was $7,816,000. This represents an increase of no less than 19.98 % compared to the year 2000, making 2001 a record year.
The share of the instant and breakopen games amounted to 18.31 % of the total sales. Loto Viktor extra 4/48 and Viking Lotto accounted for 0.41 % and 33.41 %, respectively. Bingo Loto and Keno-Loto 10/ 20/64, both Keno games, accounted for 38.62 % and 9.24 %, respectively.
| Game | Prize payout (%) |
Price (EEK) |
Sales (EEK) |
Share of sales (%) |
Per capita sales ($) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lotto Viktor Extra 4/48 | 50,00 | 5 | 574,035 | 0.41 | 0.02 |
| Viking Lotto | 50,00 | 5 | 46,226,570 | 33.41 | 1.91 |
| Bingo Lotto | 50,00 | 10 | 53,431,715 | 38.62 | 2.20 |
| Keno-Lotto, 10/20/64 | 50,00 | 1 | 12,785,727 | 9.24 | 0.53 |
| Bumerang | 51,00 | 10 | 3,085,920 | 9.24 | 0.13 |
| Horoskoop | 53,00 | 10 | 9,630,880 | 6.96 | 0.40 |
| Kroonika | 51,30 | 10 | 566,890 | 0.41 | 0.02 |
| Lotosport | 51,00 | 10 | 4,605,450 | 3.33 | 0.19 |
| Naksti | 50,00 | 5 | 2,781,330 | 2.01 | 0.11 |
| Onneratas | 50,00 | 10 | 176,480 | 0.13 | 0.01 |
| Onnesoov | 52,00 | 5 | 1,239,785 | 0.90 | 0.05 |
| Presidendiloto | 51,00 | 50 | 2,344,500 | 1.69 | 0.10 |
| Vido | 51,00 | 5 | 897,235 | 0.65 | 0.04 |
| Total | 138,346,517 | 100.00 | 5.71 |
Gambling expenditures
50 % of the total population participates in a lottery from time to time. 15 % play on a regular basis. All offered games pay out roughly between 50 %, which is the legally obligatory minimum, and 53 % of the sales as prize money. The average inhabitant of Estonia spends $5.71 on lotteries. This is 0.16 % of the GDP per capital.
Suppliers
Eesti Loto is the organiser of its own lotteries. The lotto terminals and software are supplied by Gtech. For the instant and breakopen games, Eesti Loto has chosen Oberthur as supplier.
Sold tickets & ticket prices
| Lottery | Tickets sold in 2001 |
Tickets sold per person |
Ticket price (USD) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lotto Viktor extra, | 114,807 | 0.08 | $0.30 |
| 4/48 | |||
| Viking Lotto | 9,245,314 | 6.75 | $0.30 |
| Bingo Lotto | 5,343,172 | 3.9 | $0.60 |
| Keno-Lotto | 12,785.727 | 9.33 | $0.06 |
| 10/24/64 Instant, Breakopen | 2,837,122 | 2.07 | $0.30/$0.60/$3.02 |
| Total | 30,326,142 | 22.13 |
|
In total, the average Estonian bought 22.13 tickets in 2001. In that year the most tickets were sold from the Keno-Lotto, Eesti Loto's cheapest game. Significantly more tickets were sold from Viking Lotto than from the most popular game, Bingo Lotto. The Bingo Lotto tickets were twice as expensive, however. The instant and Breakopen games exist in three different price variants.
Viking Lotto
The Viking Lotto was created in 1993, but the Eesti Loto has only participated since March 2000. The Viking Lotto is a lottery which is played across several (Scandinavian) countries with a common high jackpot. The other prizes and the prize payout percentage can be freely defined by the participating organisers. For participating in the Viking Lotto, each participant (operator) pays a fee of $0.03 per ticket sold. The ticket price is set by each operator itself.
The Viking Lotto may be marketed as the individual operator sees fit, and only the drawing is a common event. One can choose to broadcast only the drawing, or the intro and the drawing. In Estonia only the drawing is broadcast.
The sales share of the Viking Lotto in Estonia rose in 2001 by no less than 71.88 %. Viking Lotto is rapidly gaining market share and the expectation is that next year it will account
for the largest share of sales. Viking Lotto has a higher jackpot than the Bingo Lotto, which makes it very attractive in Estonia.
Latest developments
In December 2001 Eesti Loto launched an online gambling site www.eestiloto.ee, where Keno and Viking Lotto can be played via the Internet. These games were already being offered previously, so there is no separate Internet lottery.
Eesti Loto believes that this is currently one of the most user-friendly gambling sites. According to Monica Salu, the director of Eesti Loto, great interest from abroad has been shown in the system. Salu expects that the number of players in the first year will increase by 1 %, and that within a couple of years 10 % of all sales will be achieved via the Internet.
"We will be able to bring in a lot of new customers who prefer to visit the site rather than walk down to the newspaper stand in order to play. I believe that we can generate 10,000 extra customers,” Salu has said (in the Baltic Times, 20 December 2001).
According to the same newspaper article, one had planned this past spring to introduce a new gambling game via mobile telephone. This new system would make it possible to bet by mobile telephone on sports competitions which are being broad cast live on television at that very moment. After telephoning with Eesti Loto, we learned that this latest game is currently expected to be introduced this coming autumn.
Game presentation and frequency
Bingo Loto is the sole lottery in Estonia with a show element. The show lasts about 20 minutes and within this period 2 candidates play a question game and a Bingo Loto drawing is held. This show is broadcast on Thursdays. The Viking Lotto drawing is held once a week on Wednesdays, and the Keno-Loto is held twice a day.
Advertising expenditures
In 2000 the Eesti Loto spent $403,135 on advertising, which represented 6.44 % of the total sales in that year. The largest share of the advertising budget, 45 %, was spent on television.
| Media | In Ekroon | In USD ($) | % of total budget |
|---|---|---|---|
| Television | 3,015,000 | 181,433 | 45,0 |
| Radio | 1,005,000 | 60,478 | 15,0 |
| Printed media | 1,340,000 | 80,637 | 20,0 |
| Sales points | 1,340,000 | 80,637 | 20,0 |
| Total | 6,700,000 | 403,185 | 100,0 |
February 1971
Began operation as Estonian Regional Board of Central Board of Sports Lotteries under the aegis of the USSR State Sports Committee.
April 30, 1971
First lottery draw that was also played in Estonia (Spordiloto 6/49).
1977
Quick draw lottery reaches Estonian soil - beginning of sale of all-Union "Sprint” envelope lottery, originally dedicated to the Moscow Olympic Games.
April 30, 1990
Eesti Spordiloto begins to be administered by the republic. Co-operation with the all-Union Spordiloto continues on the basis of an agreement.
April 1992
Eesti Loto's first lottery of its own, and also the first scratch-and-win in Estonia, Lotomardraw, is offered (initially as hard currency lottery, price in Finnish marks).
January 20, 1994
Agreement concluded with the lottery supply company GTECH Corporation (USA) for the introduction of an on-line lottery equipment system.
June 11, 1994
First draw of VICTOR 48, Eesti Loto's first on-line game (last draw on 19 July 1995) in Raekoja plats, Tallinn.
April 24 , 1997
Articles of association and Supervisory Board of AS Eesti Loto are approved.
June 1, 1998
Hardware and software of on-line equiment system becomes property of AS Eesti Loto.
April 15, 1999
Installation of the 500th terminal.
January 19, 2000
Board of Directors of Viking Lotto approves merger of Eesti Loto with the joint game.
March 22 , 2000
First draw of Viking Lotto played in Estonia.
May 18, 2000
AS Eesti Loto is declared worthy of WLA security certificate by resolution of WLA.
Dec 17, 2001
AS Eesti Loto started the sale of number lotteries via the Internet.
In 2001 the Eesti Loto board decided to determine the management competence with the limits of budgetary cost units. This transferred the freedom to act together with the responsibility for the process and results (costs/profit) to the whole team. The freedom of action linked with responsibility induces the employees to seek more efficient working methods. Efficient working methods and the wage system linked with distinct objectives and taking into consideration both personal and teamwork contribution guarantees the continuity of the company's development and maximizes profits.
The result: the profit of the year 2001 increased nearly ten times over the previous year amounting to 10.1 million kroons (EUR 646,000) on a year-on-year increase in sales of 19.8% to 138 million kroons (EUR 8.8 million).
The Estonian lottery is continuing to break historical sales records. Eesti Loto sales for the first 8 months of 2002 were 104.5 million kroons (?6.7 million), a 20% increase over the same period of 2001, with profits (unaudited) of more than 10 million kroons.
"There is increasing confidence towards lottery games in Estonia as the community is more and more frequently informed about big winnings. People have understood that winning the lottery is not a fairy tale,” said the CEO of EST Loto Monika Salu. In April 2002 Monika Salu was named as the highest-paid female state official in Estonia. Nearly 150 Estonia residents officially earned more than one million kroons ($56,000) in 2001, a 30% increase over 2000, according to the Social Insurance Department.
Along with mobile phone operators AS Eesti Loto is looking toward the possibility of making play possible over mobile phones. The Estonian Lottery has agreements with EMT and Tele2, reports the daily Eesti Paevaleht newspaper. Talks with Radiolinja are in progress.
Tests to check security of the mobile lottery and the speed of data communication speed started in October 2002.
The mobile lottery system did not require any special investment from the lottery company. The present Internet lottery environment is simply connected with the mobile lottery system, where the investment was made by the mobile phone operators.
The mobile lottery system is linked via online banks with the player's bank account.
The client uses the mobile phone keypad to choose the options and automatically pay via an Internet bank.
"It is a simple and safe system,” Estonian Lottery board member Monika Salu said. She said Latvians are already displaying interest in the new solution and it has not been ruled out that the system will be sold to them also.
For the time being, it will be possible to use mobile phones to play Viking and Keno lotteries. Later, the firm is planning to introduce new games into both the Internet and mobile environments.
| (million kroons) | 2000 | 1999 |
|---|---|---|
| Share capital | 3.5 | 3.5 |
| Sales turnover | 115.4 | 102.0 |
| Sales per person | 82.45 | 70.6 |
| Paid out in prizes | 57.7 | 50.2 |
| Gambling tax | 13,736.6 | 12,452.0 |
| 2000 | 1999 | |
|---|---|---|
| Net sales | 115,439,485 | 102,038,250 |
| Other revenue | 5,686,306 | 2,747,347 |
| Total revenue | 121,125,791 | 104,785,597 |
| Goods | 1,469,257 | 1,471,493 |
| Prize payout expences | 57,674,952 | 51,142,485 |
| Other operating expences | 40,489,772 | 36,000,336 |
| Incl. gambling tax | 13,736,645 | 12,452,046 |
| Personnel expenses | 40,489,772 | 36,000,336 |
| Depreciation of fixed assets | 3,872,333 | 106,667,733 |
| Other expenses | 1,936,909 | 1,940,340 |
| Total expenses | 117,696,386 | 106,667,733 |
| Financial income | 806,815 | 141,500 |
| Financial expenses | 3,071,910 | 3,270,441 |
| Net profit for the period | 1,164,310 | 4,612,265 |
| Balance Sheet | 2000 | 1999 |
|---|---|---|
| Total current assets | 2,591,515 | 8,063,306 |
| Total non current assets | 27,413,790 | 21,911,386 |
| Total assets | 35,005,305 | 29,974,691 |
| Total current liabilities | 21,439,017 | 24,924,762 |
| Total long-term liabilities | 10,327,363 | 5,709,660 |
| Total liabilities | 31,766,380 | 30,634,422 |
| Owners' equity | 3,238,925 | -659,731 |
| Incl. profit for the period | 1,164,310 | -4,612,265 |
| Total liabilities and owners | 35,005,305 | 29,974,691 |
Eesti Loto total sales for the first nine months of 2001 amounted to 97.7 million kroons (US$ 5.6 million), up by more than 14% over the same period in 2000.
The total of the prizes paid was 49.5 million kroons, which represents a 15% increase over the same period in 2000.
Eesti Loto sales for the first nine months 2001 were as follows:
Gaming tax paid to the Government amounted to 11.7 million kroons.
According to Marketing Manager Marika Streimann, the company's results point to the most successful year in Eesti Loto history up to now. "I believe that such results have been achieved thanks to the excellent teamwork, especially as the result of the successful marketing efforts in connection with the launch of new instant tickets. Instant ticket sales increased 25.7% over the same period last year,” Streimann stated.
Annual turnover in 2000 was 115.43 million kroons. Profit amounted to 1.16 million kroons. The total prize payout was 57.7 million kroons, and gaming tax payments reached 13.7 million kroons. One half of the tax amount was used to support the Estonian Olympic Committee, while the other half benefited a number of sports, cultural, educational and social welfare projects.
When compared to the previous year, the average profitability of Eesti Loto per one employee has increased by more than four times in the first half-year 2001 17,100 kroons in year 2000 and 72,400kroons in the first six months of year 2001. At present, 52 people work for Eesti Loto.
According to Mart Siimann, Member of the Parliament and Chairman of the Gambling Tax Committee, the boom in the business environment creates better possibilities for contributing to the balanced development of Estonia with the help of the gambling tax.
The number of applications is growing and the range of spheres applying for the proceeds of the tax is becoming more diversified. Thanks to the growing receipts of the gambling tax, it is possible to help even more the spheres that are being supported social care, science, education, culture, sport, and environmental protection.
In 2000, Eesti Loto paid the gambling tax to the amount of 13,736,600 kroons, half of which was used for supporting the activity of the Estonian Olympic Committee. The other half of the amount was usedto support various projects in the spheres of sport, culture and education. The remaining amount is used to cover the operating expenses of Eesti Loto, whereas the profit is transferred into state revenues.
In 2000, Eesti Loto disbursed prizes to the amount of 57.7 million kroons. According to the projections,approximately 70 million kroons will be disbursed as prizes in year 2001. Over a year Eesti Loto would disburse prizes over 1.6 million times which means that on an average, each resident of Estonia has a chance to win once a year.
Eesti Loto turnover 2001 by games is following:
Eesti Loto is the only online lottery operator in Estonia. Estonia's state-owned lottery enterprise Eesti Loto launched an online gambling site on December 18, 2001boasting that it is one of the easiest to use online lottery sites in the world.
The new lottery system at eestiloto.ee enables players to see the history of previous games, which is very important to serious gamblers. The gambler can also choose as many automatic selections as he desires, whereas at kiosks the machine would make only one automatic selection.
According to Salu a number of foreign lottery companies have expressed interest in this unique system, which is very easy to use. The Estonian lottery company hopes to make money by selling the copyright to the program, which cost 500,000 kroons ($ 29,000) to develop.
Although the site is available in Estonian, Russian and English, the law stipulates that only Estonian citizens and people with an Estonian residence permit can participate in online gambling. The gamblers can pay through the accounts of the three biggest Estonian banks (Hansapank, EestiUhispank and Sampo Pank). Eesti Loto will later transfer prizes of up to 10,000 kroons to the same account and contact the winners personally if the sum exceeds that limit in order to arrange the transfer of money.
The lottery company has agreed with the cooperating banks that payments through the Internet to Eesti Loto are to be free of charge, unlike normal payments through the Internet from a Hansapank account for example. Eesti Loto also initiated lottery games via mobile phones in autumun 2002 with local mobile phone operators. The new system enables betting during a sports match via a mobile phone in front of a TV.
Salu believes the number of gamblers will increase by 1 percent in the first year and in a few years 10 percent of all gambling will be through the Internet. In countries where online gambling sites are less easy to use, the share of online gamblers has reached 5 percent, said Salu. Statistics show that every second Estonian sometimes plays lottery games, while 15% of the population are regular players.
Eesti Loto also plans to initiate lottery games via mobile phones next spring and is already negotiating with local mobile phone operators. The new system enables betting during a sports match via a mobile phone in front of a TV.
Estonia is a part of the Baltic, together with Lithunia and Latvia. All three countries were annexed by the USSR in 1940. Lithunia became the first of the Soviet republics to declare its independence on March 11th, 1990. And in 1991 all three countries were recognised as an independent state. The Baltic countries share a long and common history and therefore it is very surprising that Eesti Loto has such a professional lead on the other national lottery organisations in the Baltic.
Above that among the thirteen Eastern and Central European countries that are seeking membership into the European Union (EU), Latvia and Lithuania ranked among the last in terms of internet users. They accounted for only 6.1 percent internet penetration of the countries'population in 2000. And 26.3 percent is the significant higher percentage for Estonia.
Information on Elandcasino's: http://www.casinocity.com/ee/cities.html