Gambling is fully regulated with licensing for land-based and online operators; strict controls and recent reforms target player protection and responsible gaming.
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Regulatory AuthorityOficiul Național pentru Jocuri de Noroc (National Gambling Office)
License CostVaries
Regulation by Activity Type
Casinos
Regulated
Online Casinos
Regulated
Betting
Regulated
Online Betting
Regulated
Lotteries
Regulated
Poker
Regulated
Highlights
Romanian gambling is regulated by the Government Emergency Ordinance No. 77/2009, with frequent amendments.
Licensing is mandatory for all operators; only companies based in Romania, the EU, EEA, or Switzerland can apply.
Online and land-based gambling require separate authorizations for each type of activity offered.
A 2024 amendment explicitly bans unlicensed operators and white-label agreements, with severe penalties for violations.
A new bill proposes limiting individual gambling spending to 10% of the previous month's income, enforced by banks.
Gambling venues are banned in towns and villages with populations under 15,000 to address problem gambling.
Operators must provide financial guarantees—EUR 2 million for land-based gambling as of January 2025.
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Legislation
Primary Legislation
The core legal framework governing gambling in Romania is established by a series of primary legislative acts. The central piece of legislation is Government Emergency Ordinance No. 77/2009 on the organization and operation of gambling activities, which sets out the general legal regime for both land-based and online gambling. This ordinance has been amended multiple times to address market developments and regulatory needs. Supplementing the main ordinance, there are several key secondary regulations and government decisions that provide detailed rules for the implementation of the primary law, including technical standards, player protection measures, and operational requirements for gambling activities. These legislative instruments collectively define the scope of permitted gambling, the types of games allowed, and the legal obligations of operators and participants.
Regulatory Authority
Oversight and enforcement of gambling legislation in Romania is the responsibility of the National Gambling Office (Oficiul Național pentru Jocuri de Noroc, ONJN). The ONJN is the principal regulatory body tasked with supervising all gambling activities, ensuring compliance with the legal framework, and issuing secondary regulations to clarify and implement the requirements of the primary legislation.
Supervises and enforces compliance with gambling laws and regulations
Issues secondary regulations and technical standards
Monitors both land-based and online gambling operations
Implements player protection and responsible gambling measures
License Types
Types of Gambling Licenses in Romania
Class 1 License: Issued to operators offering gambling services directly to consumers (B2C), covering both land-based and online gambling activities.
Class 2 License: Granted to service providers supporting gambling operators (B2B), such as platform suppliers, payment processors, affiliates, and testing laboratories.
Authorizations: In addition to a Class 1 license, operators must obtain specific authorizations for each type of gambling activity they intend to offer (e.g., casino, betting, lottery, slot machines).
Application Process
Only operators based in Romania, or those from the EU, EEA, or Swiss Confederation with a registered permanent establishment for tax purposes in Romania, are eligible to apply for a Class 1 license.
The application must be submitted to the National Gambling Office (Oficiul Național pentru Jocuri de Noroc, ONJN), including comprehensive documentation on company structure, beneficial ownership, technical systems, and compliance policies.
Separate authorizations are required for each gambling product or activity, even if the operator holds a general Class 1 license.
Service providers (Class 2) must demonstrate technical capacity and compliance with Romanian standards in their application.
Duration, Renewal, and Eligibility
Licenses are typically granted for a period of 10 years for both Class 1 and Class 2 licenses.
Authorizations for specific gambling activities are usually valid for one year and must be renewed annually.
Renewal requires continued compliance with all regulatory requirements, submission of updated documentation, and payment of relevant fees.
Operators must maintain a clean compliance record and demonstrate ongoing financial stability to remain eligible for renewal.
Licensing Costs and Financial Requirements
Class 1 License Fees: The annual fee varies depending on the type and scale of gambling activity. For example, online gambling operators pay an annual licensing fee, and additional fees for each authorized product.
Class 2 License Fees: Service providers pay a fixed annual fee, the amount of which depends on the nature of the services provided.
Guarantee Requirements: As of January 2025, all land-based gambling operators (except casinos) must provide a financial guarantee of EUR 1 million, regardless of business volume. This guarantee is intended to cover potential liabilities and ensure player protection.
Other Fees: Application processing fees and annual authorization fees apply for each type of gambling activity offered.
Key Requirements for Obtaining and Maintaining a License
Operators must demonstrate robust anti-money laundering (AML) and responsible gambling policies.
Technical systems must be certified by approved testing laboratories and ensure secure, fair, and transparent operations.
Operators are required to maintain a permanent establishment for tax purposes in Romania if based in the EU, EEA, or Switzerland.
Applicants must provide detailed information on company ownership, management, and beneficial owners.
Ongoing reporting, compliance monitoring, and cooperation with the ONJN are mandatory for all licensees.
Non-compliance with licensing conditions can result in significant fines, seizure of proceeds, or license revocation.
Summary Table: Romanian Gambling Licensing System
License Type
Who Can Apply
Duration
Main Costs
Key Requirements
Class 1 (B2C)
Operators in Romania/EU/EEA/Switzerland with local establishment
10 years
Annual fee (varies), EUR 1 million guarantee (land-based)
Most gambling activities in Romania are taxed based on Gross Gaming Revenue (GGR), which is defined as the difference between the total amounts wagered and the total winnings paid to players.
Lotteries are an exception and are taxed based on turnover (total stakes).
Tax Reporting and Payment Requirements
Gambling operators must calculate and declare their taxes monthly.
Tax returns are generally due by the 25th day of the month following the reporting period.
Payments must be made to the Romanian tax authorities (ANAF) within the same deadline.
Operators are required to maintain detailed records of all gambling transactions, including wagers, payouts, and player balances.
Online operators must report player spending in real time to comply with responsible gambling requirements and to facilitate tax oversight.
Failure to comply with tax reporting or payment obligations can result in significant fines and potential loss of license.
Tax Incentives, Exemptions, and Special Provisions
There are currently no broad tax incentives or exemptions specifically for gambling operators in Romania.
Operators based in the EU, EEA, or Switzerland must register a permanent establishment for tax purposes in Romania to be eligible for a license and to fulfill tax obligations.
Recent legislative trends focus on tightening compliance and enforcement rather than offering tax relief or incentives.
Prohibited Individuals
Age Restrictions and Identification Requirements
The minimum legal age for participation in any form of gambling in Romania is 18 years.
Operators are required to verify the age and identity of all players before allowing access to gambling services, both online and land-based.
Identification documents must be checked at entry points for physical venues and during account creation for online platforms to prevent underage gambling.
Prohibited Gambling Activities and Game Restrictions
Unlicensed gambling activities are strictly prohibited. Only operators with valid Romanian licenses may offer gambling services.
Agreements that allow entities not licensed under Romanian gambling legislation to carry out gambling activities are expressly forbidden.
White-label arrangements that could disguise unlicensed operations are banned.
Gambling venues are prohibited in towns and villages with populations under 15,000 people.
There are restrictions on the types of games that can be offered, with specific authorizations required for each gambling product.
Advertising and Marketing Limitations
Advertising of gambling services is subject to strict regulation to protect vulnerable groups, including minors and those at risk of problem gambling.
Marketing communications must not target minors or depict gambling as a means to solve financial problems.
Advertisements must include responsible gambling messages and information about the risks associated with gambling.
Operators are prohibited from making misleading claims about the chances of winning or the benefits of gambling.
Responsible Gambling Requirements and Player Protection Measures
Operators must provide clear information about responsible gambling and offer tools for players to set deposit, loss, and session limits.
Self-exclusion options must be available, allowing players to voluntarily ban themselves from gambling activities for specified periods.
Operators are required to monitor player behavior for signs of problem gambling and intervene when necessary.
There is a proposed restriction (pending final adoption) to limit player spending on gambling and betting to no more than 10% of their previous monthly income. Banks and financial institutions would be responsible for enforcing this limit, with significant fines for non-compliance.
Operators must report player spending in real-time to prevent circumvention of the 10% monthly limit by switching between different venues or platforms.
Failure to comply with responsible gambling requirements can result in substantial fines and, for repeated violations, loss of the operator’s license.
Geographic and Location Restrictions
Land-based gambling venues are not permitted to operate in localities with fewer than 15,000 residents.
Physical gambling establishments must be located at a minimum distance from schools and other institutions frequented by minors, as defined by local regulations.
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Timeline
Year/Date
Event
1991
Romania legalizes gambling, allowing the operation of casinos and other forms of gambling for the first time after the fall of communism.
1995
First comprehensive Gambling Act is adopted, establishing the initial legal framework for gambling activities in Romania.
2009
Significant amendments are made to gambling legislation, introducing regulations for online gambling and setting the groundwork for future licensing.
2013
Further legislative updates clarify the regulation of online gambling and introduce new licensing requirements for operators.
2015
Major reform of gambling laws: Romania officially opens its market to licensed online gambling operators, establishing the National Gambling Office (ONJN) as the primary regulator and introducing a modern licensing and taxation system.
2023
Ban implemented on gambling venues in small towns and villages with populations under 15,000, aiming to address social concerns and problem gambling.
2024
Amendments strengthen prohibitions against unlicensed operators and white-label agreements, with stricter fines and enforcement measures.
2025
Draft bill proposes limiting individual gambling spending to 10% of a person’s monthly income, reflecting ongoing efforts to combat problem gambling (pending legislative approval).
Requirements
Software Certification and Technical Standards
All gambling software and gaming systems used by operators must be certified by an accredited testing laboratory recognized by the Romanian National Gambling Office (ONJN).
Certification must confirm compliance with Romanian technical standards, which cover game fairness, randomness, and the integrity of gaming operations.
Technical systems must ensure the accurate registration and storage of all gaming transactions, including bets, wins, and account movements.
Operators must implement robust mechanisms to prevent unauthorized access, manipulation, or alteration of gaming software and data.
Any updates or changes to gaming software require re-certification and notification to the ONJN before deployment.
Data Protection, Privacy Measures, and Server Location
Operators are required to comply with the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and Romanian data protection laws, ensuring the confidentiality, integrity, and security of all personal and transactional data.
All gaming servers and databases used for the operation of gambling services must be located on Romanian territory, or, for operators established in the EU/EEA/Switzerland, within those jurisdictions, with direct access for the ONJN.
Operators must implement advanced encryption protocols for data transmission and storage, including player information, financial transactions, and gaming logs.
Data retention policies must ensure that all relevant records are securely stored for the legally required period and are protected against unauthorized access or loss.
Anti-Money Laundering (AML) and Know Your Customer (KYC) Procedures
Operators must establish comprehensive AML policies in accordance with Romanian and EU AML directives.
Mandatory KYC procedures require operators to verify the identity, age, and address of all players before allowing participation in gambling activities. This includes collecting and verifying official identification documents and proof of address.
Ongoing monitoring of player transactions is required to detect and report suspicious activities to the relevant authorities.
Operators must provide staff training on AML obligations and maintain detailed records of all KYC and AML checks performed.
Financial Reporting, Auditing Standards, and Record-Keeping
Operators must maintain detailed, real-time records of all gambling transactions, including bets, winnings, deposits, withdrawals, and player balances.
All financial data must be stored in a secure, tamper-proof system accessible for inspection by the ONJN.
Regular financial reporting to the ONJN is mandatory, including submission of periodic reports and immediate notification of any irregularities or breaches.
Operators are subject to annual independent audits of their technical systems and financial operations, with audit reports submitted to the ONJN.
Records must be retained for a minimum period as stipulated by Romanian law, typically at least five years.
Technical Implementation Requirements for Responsible Gambling Tools
Operators must provide technical tools for players to set personal deposit, loss, and betting limits, as well as self-exclusion options.
Systems must be capable of enforcing mandatory spending limits, including any national requirements such as the proposed 10% of monthly income cap, with real-time tracking and reporting to prevent circumvention across multiple platforms.
Self-exclusion and limit-setting functionalities must be easily accessible and effective, with immediate implementation upon player request.
Operators are required to display responsible gambling information and provide links to support organizations on all platforms.
Technical systems must ensure that excluded or limited players are automatically prevented from accessing gambling services until the end of the exclusion period or limit adjustment.
Portal Legislativ - Official Romanian government legislative database (search for gambling laws and regulations)
ONJN Legislation Section - Direct access to gambling-specific legislation, regulations, and official decisions
Contact Information
Oficiul Național pentru Jocuri de Noroc (ONJN)
Address: Calea Victoriei nr.9, sector 3, București, Romania
Phone: +4 031 225 6202
Email: office@onjn.gov.ro
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Gambling regulations are subject to change. The information provided on this page was accurate at the time of publication, but may not reflect the current regulatory landscape. Always consult official sources for the most up-to-date information before making any gambling-related decisions.
