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Romania Gaming License

What is the gambling license in Romania? It’s the gateway to Eastern EU’s most formal and regulated gambling market. Romania created a regulatory framework offering the dual mandate of fiscal transparency and technological supervision, facilitating operator access to predictable infrastructure for market entry.

A gambling license in Romania opens the door to a highly structured and controlled market in Eastern Europe. Romania’s regulatory landscape combines fiscal transparency with technological oversight for a predictable setting for operators entering the market. Under gambling laws Romania, both physical and digital gambling activities fall under the supervision of the National Gambling Office (ONJN). Any operator targeting Romanian players (e.g., through sportsbook platforms, online casinos, poker rooms, or slot systems) must have a valid Romania gambling license before starting up operations. In Romania, for international businesses, the gaming license is an entrance into a European Union jurisdiction with clearly defined oversight standards and established compliance practices.

Published:
November 9, 2026

Overview

RegulatorNational Gambling Office (ONJN) 
Regulatory frameworkTwo-level system: gambling license + annual operating authorization
License categoriesClass I (B2C operators) and Class II (B2B service providers)
Main license requirementsTransparent ownership, legal entity, financial capacity, AML policies, responsible gambling procedures, and technical compliance
Technical requirementsConnection to ONJN monitoring systems, secure infrastructure, certified software, cybersecurity compliance
Application processBusiness evaluation → company preparation → compliance documentation → ONJN submission and review → approval
Financial requirementsBank guarantees or other financial security, where applicable under the relevant licence category 
Operating authorizationRequired annually in addition to the main gambling license
Tax modelAnnual licence and authorization fees together with applicable gambling taxes under Romanian legislation
Foreign operator accessAllowed if the company meets Romanian licensing requirements and supervisory standards
Ownership changesPossible only with approval from supervisory authorities

To Obtain Gaming License In Romania: Permit Categories 

As per the business model, it is divided into two main classes. 

Class I – Direct Operators

This category includes companies that engage directly with players. It covers:

  • Virtual casino platforms;
  • Sports betting websites;
  • Poker networks;
  • Virtual slot operators.

Class I authorization is needed for a Romania online gambling license. 

Class II – Service Providers

These are B2B companies that support gambling without directly contracting the players. It involves:

  • Software developers;
  • Platform providers;
  • Hosting services;
  • Payment processors;
  • Certification laboratories.

Enterprises aiming to obtain gaming license Romania by means of Class II belong to the technical and infrastructure sector of the industry.

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Online Casino License Romania: Structural Comparison

CategoryBusiness ModelPlayer InteractionFocus AreaTypical Example
Class IB2CDirectPlayer protection, AML-controls, tax reportingCasino, sportsbook, poker
Class IIB2BNo direct interactionSystem integrity, technical supervisionPlatform or software provider

Romanian License and Authorization: Dual-Level Framework

The second one is the characteristic of the gambling license in Romania, which consists of a two-level regulation process as well. Operators do not just need a core permission (Class I or Class II); they need a standalone operating authorization for the year. In practice, this means:

  • Permit validates your access to the Romanian market;
  • Annual authorization entitles an operator to activity for one specified fiscal year;
  • The two elements are to be renewed and reviewed on a fiscal basis. 

The scheme improves regulatory measures in Romania by providing ongoing financial monitoring for gambling regulation rather than just the one-and-done approval.

Guarantees and Bank Security Systems

For obtaining gambling license in Romania, operators must provide financial guarantees. These are always by way of bank guarantees or other approved financial instruments. It’s the purpose of these guarantees to:

  • Protect player funds;
  • Pay off gaming taxes;
  • Cover potential penalties or public liabilities outstanding. 

The kind of activity and anticipated turnover determine the scale of the guarantee. At the structuring stage, strict financial planning should be taken into account by the companies intending to secure the gaming licensing in Romania.

Technical Surveillance and National Systems for Reporting

Central to the Romanian gamble permit architecture is a mandatory connection to national monitoring infrastructure. Licensed operators need to connect to reporting systems managed by ONJN. It includes:

  • Live transmission of gaming data;
  • Secure server infrastructure;
  • Accreditation of gambling software by approved laboratory testing;
  • Adherence to cybersecurity and data protection regulations. 

Accordingly, legal review is also complemented by technical validation throughout the Romanian betting license process. For operators intending to get a Romanian gamble permit, the sooner the technical architecture is prepared, the lower the regulatory risks.

Key Conditions for Entry to the Market

There needs to be transparency (in a company’s operation) if any firm wants, in the future, to get gaming license in Romania. In terms of officially-set norms and standards, it usually consists of: 

  • Launching of a qualifying legal entity;
  • Complete accounting of the ownership;
  • Proof of financial capacity;
  • AML and responsible gamble policies in-house;
  • Data on gaming software and monitoring integration that is certified;
  • Connection across national reporting systems. 

Romania gambling regulation pays attention to the traceability of transactions and centralized technical monitoring.

Getting a Permission to Play in Romania: Practical Guide

Entrepreneurs wishing to officially-license their gaming activity in Romania typically go through steps like this:

  1. Strategic Evaluation. Evaluation of business-model and validation of relevant category.
  2. Corporate Preparation: structuring the operating entity to be compliant with Romanian rules and provisions.
  3. Compliance Architecture. Drafting internal processes, risk controls, and technical documentation to secure the gaming license in Romania.
  4. Submission and Review. Application with ONJN, the final process including financial & technical verification.
  5. Final Approval. When it happens, issuance of a permit, after confirming all supervisory checks.

Well-written and well-placed documentation can greatly reduce delays in the process of getting a betting operating permission for the Romanian market.

Financial Framework

Gambling license in Romania means a structured fiscal responsibility in the Romanian tax law. These include:

  • Annual authorization fees;
  • Operational contributions;
  • Gaming tax is calculated on revenues generated through gross gaming revenue.

Romania’s gaming-based tax is different from this, depending on the activities and the revenue thresholds. Romania has a competitive fiscal framework but strong monitoring compared with some EU-legislations. To some extent, investors search for a gambling license for sale in Romania, but transfers of ownership are approved by supervisory authorities.

How to Get a Casino License in Romania

Main success factor for people intending to find out key intricacies:

  • Ownership transparency;
  • Proved stability in funding;
  • The tech certification of gaming systems;
  • Proper AML-implementation;
  • Further support with supervisory authorities.

Trying to come to the Romanian market without preparation may mean delays or additional monitoring.

Our Professional Support

The entry into the niche of Romanian gambling is a strategic position that calls for a structured business-entry for them to be strategically arranged. Our firm assists clients in:

  • Full consulting on gambling Romanian laws for the complete legal system as they apply before it’s a new client firm;
  • Getting gamble permit in Romania;
  • Pre-ONJN Supervisory Representation;
  • Post-authorization compliance planning.

Should you be considering obtaining a gambling license in Romania, you’re able to easily reach out to our team for a consultation in private. A sound legal strategy from the beginning can greatly enhance the chances of approval and ongoing market presence.

We’re also delivering turnkey solutions for a gambling license in Isle of Man, one of the most established and respected jurisdictions in the iGaming sector. Our services include corporate structuring, preparation of operational and technical documentation, liaison with the Supervision Commission, and assistance with local substance norms. We guide clients through capital planning, system certification, and supervisory interviews, ensuring alignment with regulatory expectations. From strategy to ongoing compliance management, we’re providing structured expert support designed for long-term operational stability.

Our firm also provides full-cycle legal assistance for a gambling license in Kahnawake, from initial structuring to final approval. We coordinate company formation, compliance documentation, AML-policy drafting, server hosting arrangements, and direct communication with the Kahnawake Gaming Commission. Our support covers both B2C and B2B models, including sportsbooks, online casinos, and hybrid platforms. Clients receive a structured roadmap, risk assessment, and post-authorization compliance guidance, ensuring a smooth and legally sound market entry.

To Obtain Gaming License in Romania: Permit Categories

Local law separates businesses that offer wagering directly to the public from those working behind the scenes.

Class I – Direct gambling activity

Class I covers firms that organise games and accept players directly. Examples include internet casinos, sports wagering websites and other remote games permitted under local law. Before opening to local customers, a business must secure the relevant online casino authorization Romania and annual operating approval.

Class II – B2B activities

It applies to certain firms working with gambling businesses without contracting directly with players. Depending on their role, this may include:

  • Software design and distribution;
  • Platform hosting and technical infrastructure;
  • Affiliates and marketing partners;
  • Testing laboratories and certification bodies;
  • Other technical or commercial activities listed in local legislation.

A Class II gambling license does not permit direct activity. Firms in this group should also check that their local clients hold the permissions needed to operate legally. 

Romanian License and Authorization: Dual-Level Framework

Romania uses two separate permissions for direct activity. An online casino or sports wagering site generally needs both:

  • Class I gambling license: establishes the legal basis for organising the relevant activity.
  • Annual operating approval: allows that activity to take place during the applicable year.

One does not replace the other. Both must be in place before an online gambling site begins accepting local players. Each carries separate charges and conditions.

Firms covered by Class II follow a different route, depending on what they do. They should establish whether their particular activities call for additional approvals or registration. Class II status does not allow them to organise games directly for the public. 

How to Obtain a Gambling Licence in Romania: Practical Guide

The first step is to identify the activity and establish which local rules apply. Preparation should cover the legal structure, available funds and technical setup before the paperwork goes to ONJN.

  1. The‍‍‍ company has to decide if it will organise games for participants or work with other businesses.
  2. It is necessary to inspect the enterprise, its local place, the rules, the shareholders, and the people running it.
  3. The details on games, money, the steps for dealing with players’ funds, and the controls must be mentioned.
  4. The documents needed for registration, the background of important staff, the proof that there is enough funds, the rules, and the technical information have to be ready.
  5. Determining the applicable software tests, technical validations, server organization, and connection to ONJN systems.
  6. Following the current procedure and paying the applicable charge.
  7. Providing other materials or making corrections if the officials ask to do so.
  8. Acquiring permissions and finishing necessary checks before the service is available to ‍‍‍players.

The review depends on the activity and the circumstances of the applicant. Missing records or unresolved technical issues may delay the decision. 

Financial Framework

Entry costs depend on the activity, the relevant authorisation and the revenue generated. The budget should cover annual charges, statutory guarantees, taxes and other recurring obligations, not just the initial paperwork.

Cost itemCurrent amount / basis
Class I annual fee€300,000
Class II annual feeDepends on the relevant activity
Remote operating authorisation30% of GGR, subject to a minimum annual fee of €480,000
Review charge€3,500
Authorisation granting charge€10,500
Guarantee for remote gambling other than online casinoGenerally €2 million
Financial guarantee requirements for online casino activityGenerally €5 million
Annual responsible gambling contribution for Class I online gambling operators €500,000
Other costsApplicable taxes, annual contributions and recurring charges

ONJN Licensing Documents

The paperwork depends on the activity and the type of permission sought. A remote business should be prepared to provide records covering its legal status, funding, procedures and technical arrangements.

The package may include:

  • Registration papers.
  • Shareholding details.
  • Proof of funds.
  • Description of the planned activity.
  • Player protection rules.
  • Integrity controls.
  • Technical records.
  • ONJN system connections.
  • Proof of payment.

Class II applicants should focus on records relevant to their actual work, such as software distribution, hosting, technical testing or affiliate activity. The final checklist should be checked against the current rules and ONJN instructions before the paperwork is sent. 

Romania Gambling License Application: Processing Time and Approval Stages

The time needed for approval varies. It depends on the activity, the completeness of the paperwork and whether ONJN needs further technical or financial checks. There is no single timetable that applies to every case.

The process usually follows these stages:

  1. Initial review.
  2. Preparation.
  3. Delivery to ONJN.
  4. Assessment.
  5. Further checks.
  6. Decision.

A launch date should not be based on an assumed approval period. Incomplete records, changes to the proposed structure or unresolved technical questions can extend the process. The activity should begin only once the necessary permissions have been granted.

Our ONJN Licensing Assistance and Compliance Support

In‍‍‍ case one wants to start a gambling activity, it would be a wise decision to consult with lawyers who can help understand the legal environment and get prepared for the local market.

In most instances, the type of legal support will be tailored according to the planned services of the future establishment, the structure, and the applicable regulations.

Among the services Eternity Law regularly provide are:

  • Evaluating the proposed business model and identifying the suitable licence route;
  • Legal consultancy on the form of organisation and local establishment conditions;
  • Application support and regulatory filing;
  • Negotiation of evidence of funds and technical papers;
  • Preparation of internal controls materials for players’ protection and operational management;
  • Helping in communication with the ONJN and answering follow-up questions;
  • Reviewing periodic payments, statutory reports and other ONJN compliance consulting.

The client will be able to know about the costs, necessary paperwork, and the main process of the launch by getting early advice from us. Before the client sets a date for the launch, the regulations should be scrutinised and the client’s specific activities should be matched with ‍‍‍them.

FAQ

Is gambling legal in Romania?

Yes. In a valid gamble permit based on ONJN in Romania, national gambling is allowed.

What is Romania’s gaming tax?

The tax on gaming on gross gaming revenue varies by activity type and turnover rules.

Can a foreign firm receive an online gambling license in Romania?

Yes. Foreign operators have to meet Romanian license requirements and supervisory standards before coming to the Romanian market-space.

How long does process of getting a lottery betting permit take in Romania?

The period varies with documentation quality and structural complexity but is generally for a few months.

Is it possible to purchase a gaming license in Romania?

Transfers of licensed entities are possible only after supervisory approval, and each ownership change is subject to review.

Have any questions?

Fill out the form and our lawyer will contact you to discuss the details and offer you the best solution for your needs

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