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Gambling Licence in Romania

Online gambling · physical premises · ONJN · betting · casino · slots · licence bond

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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.

Operating gambling services in Romania without an ONJN licence is a criminal offence

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 are:

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
  • Local authority permit required
  • 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

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.

Online vs Physical Gambling Licence – 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 + local authority permit
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)

Gambling Licence 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.

01

Licence type confirmed

02

Company structure prepared

03

Platform certification started

04

AML programme drafted

05

Financial guarantee arranged

06

ONJN application submitted

07

ONJN review & queries

08

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.
Technical certification is the most time-sensitive step – start it first

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.

GAMBLING LICENCE – ROMANIA (ONJN)

from €12,500
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

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.

Frequently Asked Questions – Gambling Licence in Romania

ONJN (Oficiul Național pentru Jocuri de Noroc) is the Romanian national gambling regulator – the authority responsible for issuing gambling licences, supervising gambling operators and enforcing Romanian gambling law (GEO 77/2009). ONJN issues licences for online gambling, physical casino gambling, sports betting, lottery, slot machines and other gambling activities. ONJN also has enforcement powers to block unlicensed operators at the ISP level and impose fines and criminal sanctions on operators and their directors.

Yes. Any operator providing gambling services to players in Romania must hold a valid ONJN licence – regardless of where the operator is incorporated or whether it holds a licence from another EU gambling jurisdiction. Romania does not automatically recognise gambling licences from other EU member states (Malta, Gibraltar, Cyprus, etc.). A Romanian-specific ONJN licence is required to legally target Romanian players.

ONJN issues licences for: online casino games (slots, table games, live dealer); online sports betting (pariuri sportive online); online poker; online bingo and lottery; physical casino gambling (cazinou); physical betting shops (agenții pariuri); physical slot machine halls (săli de joc); and lottery (loterie). Each category requires a separate licence – an operator providing multiple gambling types must hold the relevant licence for each.

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. The statutory financial guarantee is €2,000,000 for online gambling other than online casino and €5,000,000 for online casino. The annual licence fee is €300,000 with an annual authorisation tax of 30% of GGR, subject to a minimum of €480,000 per year.

The financial guarantee (garanție financiară) is a bank guarantee issued in favour of ONJN – serving as financial security for player fund protection and regulatory compliance. The required amount is €2,000,000 for online gambling other than online casino and €5,000,000 for online casino. The guarantee must be in place before ONJN issues the licence and must be renewed annually. We advise on the appropriate guarantee structure and coordinate with the operator’s bank.

Online gambling licence: typically 3–6 months from the submission of a complete application. However, the technical certification of the platform and RNG by an ONJN-approved testing laboratory typically takes 6–12 weeks on its own – and should be started before or simultaneously with the ONJN application. Total timeline from project start to licence: 4–8 months, assuming no significant gaps in the application. Physical premises licences are typically faster – 2–4 months – but also require local authority permits which can vary.

No. Romania does not automatically recognise gambling licences issued by other EU regulators (Malta Gaming Authority, Gibraltar Regulatory Authority, UK Gambling Commission, etc.). A Romanian ONJN licence is required to legally target Romanian players. Operators using a foreign licence to provide services to Romanian players are exposed to ONJN enforcement action including ISP blocking, fines and criminal sanctions.

Gambling operators are obliged entities under Romanian AML Law 129/2019 – subject to: a business-wide AML risk assessment; player CDD (identity verification) for all online players and for physical cash transactions above €2,000; transaction monitoring; suspicious transaction reporting to ONPCSB; and designation of an AML compliance officer. AML compliance is assessed by ONJN as part of the licence application – an AML programme must be in place before the licence is issued.

Yes. In addition to the annual ONJN licence fee of €300,000, online gambling operators pay an annual authorisation tax of 30% of GGR, subject to a minimum of €480,000 per year. The GGR tax rate is set by government order and applies to all online gambling operators. Physical gambling operators have different fee and tax structures – confirm current rates with a qualified Romanian tax adviser before proceeding.