Gambling license in Romania

The gambling business in Romania has been forming for three decades already. At this time, the Romanian government issued and edited several important bills, which introduced new procedures for regulating gambling activities, including the Romania gaming license process. Also for Romania gambling license costs, they may vary depending on the legal advisor you choose. But there is a EUR 10,500 fee for the licenses issuance, that applies to all gambling license categories.

The following common types of gambling are allowed in Romania: slot machines, sweepstakes, poker, roulette, bingo, blackjack, and online gambling (Internet rooms) that can host all of the above types of games online, and ground betting.

Additionally, Romania can offer a space for lotteries, sports/horse race betting, social gaming with no monetary prize and skill games and competitions where the element of chance is excluded.

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License to open a casino in Romania

For businesses willing to lawfully act as online casino Romania and provide relevant products there is a requirement to apply for a Class 1 license from the National Gambling Office (ONJN). This license grants permission to operate as a traditional casino, where a variety of games like poker, blackjack, roulette are available for customers. Obtaining this license means going through the complex process of background checks, financial scrutiny verification and meeting compliance with local authorities. With the right plan and preparations, opening a casino in Romania can be quite a profitable business. Feel free to contact our experts to get a comprehensive introduction to gambling sector services in Romania.

Types of licenses

There are several types of Romanian gambling licenses, including:

1) A Class 1 license and corresponding permissions giving permits to B2C operators that allow them to offer gambling services in the Romanian market). In other words, this license covers the games of chance but not limited to them.

2) A Class 2 license for B2B providers whose nature of business is to supplement products or services to B2C Romanian licensed operators. This license suits well for: a) gaming components and facilities manufacturers, distributors; b) gaming software developers; c) platform & hosting providers; d) online streaming casino providers; f) payment systems.

3) A Class 3 license specifically designed for all types of lottery games.

Do not hesitate to contact us to get comprehensive guidance on how to obtain gambling license in Romania.

License for slot machines

For operators looking to offer slot machines, Romania requires a Class 1 license as well. In the country, slot machines are extremely popular, with many appearing in both casinos and gambling halls. Participation demands technical certification of the machines, to ensure that all are calibrated and that they follow local laws. The application process may include some technical certification of the machines to ensure the fair manner and adherence to local laws. Operators are also expected to provide any maintenance services required and ensure the proper functioning of each machine.

Online gambling license in Romania

Since its legalization in 2015, online gambling in Romania has significantly developed. Companies that consider operating as an online gambling need to obtain a Class 1 license. This license will grant the permission to operate an online casino or sports betting platform. Additionally, this license enables operators to run many online games, including poker, slots and table games. The online gambling operations are heavily regulated under the National Gambling Office, which coordinates everything, to maintain fairness and to protect player interests. Being an attractive market for online gambling operators, Romania’s digital infrastructure and rising internet penetration present opportunities for online gambling operators.

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Betting license in Romania

Another booming sector in Romania’s gaming industry is sports betting as well. Operators are allowed to provide both land based and online betting services with a Class 1 license. Popular sport activities like football, tennis, and basketball attract a significant number of bettors. Continues to be audited to see if betting shops and online platforms are abiding to national standards. But Romania’s embrace of sports — especially football — means that betting licenses have quickly become a key component of the country’s gaming landscape.

Benefits of Obtaining a Romania Gambling License

Romania generally is considered to be one of the fastest growing markets in the EU, offering a gambling license which legally protects and gains an entry to this market. Among a stable economy, EU membership and attractive tax rates there are following advantages:

Properly authorized Romanian casino can work lawfully across the EU;
License has a long operational period of 10 years with the possibility to extend it at the end of each period;
Relatively fast and straightforward process of obtaining the license

Requirements for Obtaining a Romania Gambling License

There are mandatory requirements for the authorized capital to meet for the companies which operate in gambling areas. The certain amount of capital required depends on the services that gambling operators provide. The minimum amount for authorized capital is set to 30,000 lei or $7,500 may be significantly higher due to the operating area. Additionally, the company should have a server located in Romania or the EU countries area. Moreover, gambling companies are required to pay 1,000 EUR annually to the government budget as a solidarity payment against gambling addiction. The requirements for Romania gaming license must be met to operate legally.

Process to obtain a gambling license in Romania

The process of Class 1 license obtaining and authorisation is considered to be generally straightforward. All regulatory approvals are granted on the documents submitted for the review to the National Gambling Office without the necessity for the applicant or representative to be present physically in front of the regulator. In case of land-based casinos, bingo halls or poker clubs, the regulator shall conduct a prior inspection of the business location.

GEO No. 77/2009 and the Methodological Norms ensure the licensing conditions and procedure for gambling, as well as ongoing compliance requirements. The legislation also gives The Romanian National Office for Gambling an overarching prerogative to request any additional information/documents that it considers relevant to the licensing or supervisory process.

Key Regulations and Authorities

Considering Key Regulations, Gambling in Romania is regulated primarily through Emergency Government Ordinance No. 77/2009 and the Methodological Norms issued in its implementation.

In accordance with the GEO №77/2009, a game of chance is defined as a product that cumulatively meets the following characteristics: (i) the charging of a participation fee; (ii) the game is based on the random selection of results; (iii) monetary winnings; and (iv) public offering of the respective game by the organizer to the participants.

The main Authority which regulates gambling in Romania is The Romanian National Office for Gambling or Oficiul Național pentru Jocuri de Noroc (ONJN).

Contact our expert team to get a comprehensive consultation and stay updated regarding Romania gaming legalities.

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Legal Framework for Gambling Licenses in Romania

Romania has a developed legal framework for gambling activity providing the licensing and authorisation granted to a particular operator who applied for such license through ONJN and giving an opportunity to conduct this type of activity on a national level without any additional approvals. The current national gambling legislation is dated to 2015, being amended in order to bring more space for operators and adjusting for EU demands. The legal basis is developed in a way to be fair and transparent, ensuring that all customers will be protected. Any violation of gambling law will lead to fines or even termination of gambling license.

FAQ

What are the main requirements for obtaining a gambling license in Romania?

Firstly, the operators willing to lawfully offer gambling services in Romania should have an entity incorporated in an EU member state, a signatory state of the EEAA or the Swiss Confederations but with a permanently registered office in Romania.

Secondly, there are some licensing requirements for a statutory capital which differ from the chosen area of gambling services. For example, casino gambling operators should comply with minimum LEI 1 million deposit (approx. EUR 200,000).

Finally, you can choose any legal form of entity you incorporate as the local laws do not impose any restrictions. A Romanian standart LLC can completely suffice.

How long does it take to get a gambling license in Romania?

Excluding the timeline for company formation as a required licensee and document collection stage, the whole process dependent upon The Romanian National Office can take approximately one month. You can easily add up to two weeks for due-diligence checks/documents collection stage and the company formation process.

What are the ongoing compliance obligations for license holders in Romania?

The ongoing compliance obligations for license holders in Romania basically include general framework AML legislation provided by Law No. 129/2018.

Additionally, The Romanian National Office has issued Order No. 370/2021 for the approval of the Instructions regarding the prevention and combating of money laundering and the financing of terrorism in gambling in Romania.

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