Romania’s Online Gambling Landscape Undergoes Massive Revamp: Licensing Fees Soar!

In a groundbreaking move, Romania has greenlit sweeping reforms to its online gambling sector, marking a pivotal moment in the nation’s iGaming narrative.

Thursday witnessed the Romanian government giving the nod to an emergency ordinance encompassing expansive reforms to the nation’s gambling statutes. These alterations span across elevated license expenses, the introduction of fresh advertising guidelines, prohibition of alcohol in gaming venues, and an obligatory clause for gambling enterprises to maintain a fiscal headquarters within Romania’s boundaries.

These reforms, proposed by the Ministry of Finance just days prior, are yet to gain the parliament’s endorsement for permanency.

A detailed breakdown of the revamped annual fees includes:

• Online Platforms: €500,000
• National Lottery: €200,000
• Video Lottery Terminals: €100 per device
• Pari-mutuel Betting: €50,000
• Fixed-odds Betting: €200,000
• Casino Gaming: €4,000 per gaming table
• Poker Clubs: €5,000 for each
• Bingo Halls: €5,000
• Television-organized Bingo: €500,000

Furthermore, slot machine annual charges will undergo a phased escalation: Starting at €100 per device in 2023, surging to €300 in 2024, and culminating at €500 by 2025.

Licensing Fee Assurance

Beyond the licensing charges, a stringent criterion mandates operators to retain substantial capital reserves to offset any potential licensing payment defaults. This safety net, scaled as per an entity’s revenue, is slated to reach an unprecedented €1,000,000 by 2025, regardless of the operator’s income.

Under the fresh guidelines, a significant 70% of gambling operator funds will fortify the state’s coffers, while the residual 30% will be earmarked for initiatives championing responsible gambling.

Advertisement Curbs in Place

A crucial aspect of these novelties demands operators to conspicuously display their ONJN credentials on all promotional content. Additionally, unsolicited digital messages fall under a strict prohibition. Advertising on billboards is permissible, albeit with a size limitation set at 35 square meters.

As this ordinance awaited the government’s endorsement, Prime Minister Marcel Ciolacu stood his ground, unyielding to intimidations from the gaming industry. His stance mirrored sentiments of resisting pressures from certain political quarters, previously seen capitulating to industry overtures.