Gambling Licence in Romania
Online gambling · physical premises · ONJN · betting · casino · slots · licence bond
Gambling in Romania is regulated under Government Emergency Ordinance No. 77/2009 on gambling organisation and exploitation (as amended). Both online gambling and physical premises gambling require a licence from ONJN (Oficiul Național pentru Jocuri de Noroc) – the Romanian national gambling regulator. A gambling licence from ONJN is one of the recognised EU gambling licences that provides access to the Romanian market and a regulatory framework compatible with EU law.
Romania for Business Advisory S.R.L. assists gambling operators – online casinos, sports betting platforms, physical casino operators, slot machine operators and lottery organisers – in obtaining the correct ONJN licence. We coordinate the eligibility assessment, company structure, technical certification, AML/CFT programme, ONJN application and ongoing compliance. All services are delivered in English.
Gambling licence – Romania (ONJN)
engagement fee
Gambling licensing engagement includes:
- Licence type assessment – online vs physical premises vs lottery vs betting
- Company structure review – Romanian establishment or qualifying EU/EEA/Swiss operator
- Fit and proper assessment – shareholders, directors and UBO / qualifying interests
- ONJN application preparation – all forms, technical documentation and annexes
- Business plan and financial projections – format required by ONJN
- AML/CFT programme – ONPCSB obliged entity compliance for gambling operators
- Technical certification coordination – RNG, platform and server certifications
- Financial guarantee arrangement guidance – €2,000,000 or €5,000,000 guarantee to ONJN
- Server location and hosting documentation – EU/EEA/Switzerland + Romanian mirror and safe server infrastructure
- ONJN submission and correspondence management throughout the review period
- Responsible gambling programme documentation – ONJN requirement
- Licence condition compliance briefing – annual authorisation renewal and ongoing obligations
- City-hall operating authorisation for each gambling hall – yearly, required since February 2026
Indicative engagement fees
- Online gambling licence (jocuri de noroc online) – ONJN from €12,500
- Physical premises gambling licence (jocuri de noroc tradiționale) from €12,000
- Sports betting licence (pariuri sportive) from €12,500
- AML/CFT programme for gambling operators (ONPCSB compliant) from €1,000
- Technical certification coordination (RNG / platform) from €800
- Annual authorisation renewal coordination from €800/yr
- ONJN state fees, financial guarantee and licence tax billed at cost
Fees confirmed in writing after eligibility assessment. ONJN state fees, financial guarantee and licence tax are additional – confirmed at scoping. Fees may be subject to Romanian VAT.
Providing gambling services to Romanian players without a valid ONJN licence – whether through an online platform, a physical premises or via a foreign licence not recognised in Romania – is an offence under Romanian law. ONJN actively blocks unlicensed operators at the ISP level. Fines and criminal sanctions apply to operators and their directors. Only an ONJN-issued licence authorises gambling operations targeting the Romanian market.
Types of Gambling Licence Issued by ONJN
ONJN issues separate licences for different gambling categories. An operator must hold the specific licence for each category of gambling activity it conducts. The four main categories below are Class I licences – the ones held by companies that take bets from players. A company that only supplies operators needs a Class II licence, covered in the next section.
Online Gambling
Jocuri de noroc online
- Casino games (slots, table games, live dealer)
- Sports betting (pariuri sportive online)
- Poker rooms (online)
- Bingo / lottery (online)
- Central IT system in Romania, another EU/EEA Member State or Switzerland, with the required Romanian mirror and safe server infrastructure
Physical Casino
Cazinou tradițional
- Casino gaming floors
- Card rooms / poker rooms
- Premises licence + ONJN authorisation
- Yearly city-hall authorisation for each venue (since 2026)
- Minimum premises standards apply
Betting & Lottery
Pariuri & loterie
- Physical betting shops (agenții pariuri)
- Sports betting (pariuri sportive)
- Horse racing betting
- Lottery (loterie)
- Terminal / electronic betting
Slot Machines / Arcades
Aparate de joc
- Slot machine halls (săli de joc)
- Electronic gaming machines
- Amusement / fruit machines
- Location-specific permit
- Technical inspection of each machine
Class I and Class II Licences – Operators vs B2B Suppliers
ONJN keeps two public registers. Class I lists the operators that take bets from players: on 7 October 2026 its online part held 29 operators, each shown with its Romanian domains and a licence running for 10 years (for example, 1 September 2026 – 31 August 2036). Class II lists the companies that work for licensed operators without taking bets themselves – 414 licences on the same date, split by the activities as ONJN names them.
| Class II activity | Typical holder | Licences, 7 Oct 2026 |
|---|---|---|
| Production and distribution of gambling software | Game studios, sports data providers, content aggregators | 152 |
| Affiliates (afiliați) | Websites and marketing partners promoting licensed operators to Romanian players | 79 |
| Management and hosting facilities on the gaming platform | B2B platform providers running an operator’s site as a managed service | 60 |
| Gaming equipment – production, distribution, repair, import | Suppliers of slot machines, VLTs and casino equipment for venues | 60 |
| Payment processors (procesatori plăți) | Payment institutions handling player deposits and withdrawals | 32 |
| Live studios transmitting casino games | Live dealer studios | 10 |
| Certification bodies (certificatori) | Testing labs that certify platforms and RNG for ONJN | 10 |
| Server storage centres (data centres) | Data centres hosting operators’ servers | 7 |
| Auditors | Audit firms licensed to work for gambling operators | 4 |
Class II holders are not limited to Romanian companies: the register lists, among others, PT Hosting Malta Limited (Malta), Nuvei Limited (Cyprus), Sportradar AG (Switzerland) and GLI Europe B.V. (the Netherlands), each under its home-country address. ONJN uses a separate application form for each class. The Class II licence fee depends on the activity and is set by GEO 77/2009 – we confirm the amount for your activity at scoping.
How to check whether an operator or supplier is ONJN approved
Search the company on onjn.gov.ro in three lists: “Operatori licențiați clasa I” (online operators with their domains and licence dates), “Lista licențiați Clasa a II-a” (suppliers with the activity and the ONJN decision number) and “Lista neagră” – the blacklist of unauthorised gambling sites, extended by ONJN decisions (the latest on the site is decision 678 of 17 September 2026). A player in Romania who gambles on an unauthorised remote site faces a fine of RON 5,000–10,000 under art. 22(6) of GEO 77/2009, as quoted by ONJN.
ONJN Gambling Licence Requirements – What Is Needed
ONJN applies a comprehensive set of requirements to gambling licence applicants. The requirements differ between online and physical premises licences – but both require corporate, financial, technical and AML/CFT compliance elements.
| Requirement | Detail – online and physical gambling |
|---|---|
| Corporate structure | Online gambling operators may be established in Romania or in another EU/EEA Member State or Switzerland, subject to the Romanian establishment and licensing requirements applicable under Romanian gambling law. Physical premises gambling can be operated through an SRL or SA depending on the category and local authority requirements. |
| Fit and proper – shareholders and directors | All shareholders with a significant interest and all directors of the gambling company must satisfy ONJN’s fit and proper criteria – clean criminal record (no convictions for fraud, money laundering or gambling-related offences), adequate financial standing and no history of regulatory sanctions in gambling or financial services. |
| Technical certification – platforms and RNG | Online gambling platforms must be certified by an ONJN-approved testing laboratory – confirming that the gaming software, random number generator (RNG), payout percentages and technical security standards meet ONJN requirements. The certification process is managed by an accredited third-party lab and is typically the longest single step in the application process. |
| Central IT system location | Central IT system in Romania, another EU/EEA Member State or Switzerland, with the required Romanian mirror and safe server infrastructure. The server location and data security arrangements must be documented in the application. |
| Financial guarantee (garanție financiară) | Online gambling operators must maintain the statutory financial guarantee. The required amount is €2,000,000 for online gambling other than online casino and €5,000,000 for online casino. |
| AML/CFT programme | Gambling operators are obliged entities under Romanian AML Law 129/2019. A documented AML/CFT programme is required – including business-wide risk assessment, CDD/KYC procedures for players, transaction monitoring, cash transaction controls and ONPCSB reporting. The AML compliance officer must be designated before the licence is issued. |
| Responsible gambling programme | ONJN requires gambling operators to implement a responsible gambling programme – including player self-exclusion mechanisms, deposit and loss limits, reality checks, information on gambling addiction resources and protocols for identifying problem gamblers. The programme must be documented and operational before go-live. |
| Annual licence fee and ongoing levies | Online gambling operators pay an annual licence fee of €300,000 and an annual authorisation tax of 30% of GGR, subject to a minimum of €480,000 per year. |
| City-hall authorisation – gambling halls | Since the emergency ordinance of 24 February 2026, a gambling hall, casino or betting shop can open only with an ONJN licence plus a local operating authorisation (autorizație de funcționare) from the city hall. It is issued for each location, renewed every year and requested with a copy of the ONJN licence and the documents for the premises. The local council can confine gambling halls to set zones, ban them in its territory and fix the yearly fee. In localities with fewer than 15,000 inhabitants gambling halls are already prohibited. Online gambling is not affected. |
Online vs Physical Premises – Key Differences
The licensing requirements, timelines and ongoing obligations differ significantly between online and physical premises gambling licences. The table below highlights the key differences to help operators identify the correct route.
| Factor | Online gambling licence | Physical premises licence |
|---|---|---|
| Corporate form | Romanian company or qualifying EU/EEA/Swiss operator with the required Romanian establishment | SRL or SA depending on category |
| Regulator | ONJN only | ONJN + yearly city-hall authorisation for each venue (since February 2026) |
| Technical certification | RNG + platform certified by accredited lab | Gaming machines individually inspected |
| Server requirement | Central IT system in Romania, another EU/EEA Member State or Switzerland, with the required Romanian mirror and safe server infrastructure | N/A – on-premises equipment |
| Financial guarantee | €2,000,000 (non-casino online gambling) or €5,000,000 (online casino) | Required – amount varies by category |
| AML obligations | Full CDD/KYC for all players | CDD for cash transactions above €2,000 |
| Typical timeline | 3–6 months from complete application | 2–4 months (varies by category) |
| Licence validity | Licence generally valid for 10 years; gambling authorisation is renewed annually | Licence generally valid for 10 years; gambling authorisation is renewed annually |
| GGR tax rate | 30% of GGR for online gambling, subject to a minimum annual authorisation tax of €480,000 | Varies by category (confirm with ONJN) |
ONJN Application Process – Step by Step
The ONJN gambling licence application follows a structured process. Romania for Business Advisory S.R.L. manages the complete process – from initial eligibility assessment through to first licence renewal.
Licence type confirmed
Company structure prepared
Platform certification started
AML programme drafted
Financial guarantee arranged
ONJN application submitted
ONJN review & queries
Licence issued + go-live
| Stage | What happens |
|---|---|
| 1. Licence type and eligibility | We confirm the correct ONJN licence category based on the planned gambling activities, the corporate structure and the operator’s existing regulatory history. We advise on the appropriate corporate form and financial guarantee requirements. |
| 2. Company establishment | Where not already incorporated, we register the Romanian company or coordinate the establishment of the Romanian presence required for EU/EEA/Swiss operators. The management body is composed with ONJN fit and proper requirements in mind. |
| 3. Technical certification | We coordinate the engagement of an ONJN-approved testing laboratory for platform and RNG certification. This is typically the longest step – allow 6–12 weeks from the lab’s initial assessment to the final certification report. |
| 4. AML/CFT programme | We prepare the AML/CFT policy and procedure manual compliant with Romanian AML Law 129/2019. Player CDD/KYC procedures, transaction monitoring, cash controls and ONPCSB reporting are addressed. The AML compliance officer is designated. |
| 5. Financial guarantee | We advise on the appropriate guarantee amount (€2,000,000 or €5,000,000 depending on the licence type) and coordinate with the client’s bank to arrange the guarantee in the format required by ONJN. |
| 6. ONJN application | The complete application file is submitted to ONJN – including corporate documents, fit and proper declarations, technical certification, AML programme, responsible gambling programme, server documentation and financial guarantee. |
| 7. ONJN review | ONJN reviews the application and may request additional information. We manage all ONJN correspondence and coordinate prompt responses. ONJN’s review period is typically 3–6 months from a complete application. |
| 8. Licence issued and authorisation | After ONJN issues the licence and authorisation, we brief the client on all ongoing obligations – annual authorisation renewal, applicable licence fees and taxes, GGR reporting, AML programme maintenance, responsible gambling compliance and ONJN inspection readiness. |
The technical certification of the gambling platform and RNG by an ONJN-approved testing laboratory is typically the longest step in the online gambling licence process. The certification lab conducts a detailed technical audit of the gaming software, payout rates, system security and integrity – typically taking 6–12 weeks. We recommend engaging the certification lab before (or simultaneously with) starting the ONJN application, not after. Waiting for the ONJN application to be advanced before starting certification adds months to the overall timeline.
AML/CFT Obligations – Gambling Operators as Obliged Entities
Gambling operators in Romania are designated obliged entities under AML Law 129/2019 – subject to comprehensive anti-money laundering obligations. These apply in addition to ONJN licensing requirements and are enforced separately by ONPCSB (the Romanian AML authority).
| AML requirement for gambling operators | What it means in practice |
|---|---|
| Business-wide risk assessment | A documented analysis of the money laundering and terrorist financing risks specific to the gambling business – by game type, player profile, payment method, geography and channel (online vs physical). |
| Player CDD (online) | Online gambling operators must verify the identity of every player – typically at registration (name, address, date of birth, identity document) with enhanced verification before large withdrawals. Anonymous play is not permitted. |
| Cash transaction monitoring (physical) | Physical gambling premises must apply CDD for all cash transactions above €2,000 (or where ML suspicion exists regardless of amount). Large cash winnings require player identity verification. |
| Self-exclusion integration | AML/CFT requirements intersect with responsible gambling – self-excluded players must also be prevented from re-registering to avoid CDD circumvention. |
| ONPCSB suspicious transaction reporting | Gambling operators must report suspicious transactions to ONPCSB. Common triggers: unusual large deposits followed by immediate withdrawal, use of multiple payment methods, structuring behaviour below CDD thresholds. |
| AML compliance officer | A designated AML compliance officer must be named in the ONJN licence application and be operational from day one. AML non-compliance may result in administrative, regulatory and, where the relevant conduct constitutes a criminal offence, criminal liability. |