Romania gambling license (ONJN Class I and Class II)
An EU license regime with a regulated supply chain: operators need Class I, and suppliers performing the B2B activities listed in the law need Class II. Romania is the most direct route to an EU B2B license for game studios, platforms, payment providers and affiliates.
- Best for
- B2B suppliers to EU-regulated markets
- Who can be licensed
- B2C operators and B2B suppliers
- Markets it serves
- EU regulated markets, Romania
Romania licenses gambling through the National Gambling Office (ONJN) under GEO 77/2009. Operators that offer gambling to players in Romania need a Class I license plus an annual operating authorization; suppliers performing the B2B activities listed in the law (game production, platforms, payment processing, testing, affiliate services) need a Class II license for each activity. Both run for 10 years. A Class II license typically takes 8–12 weeks and can be held by an EU, EEA or Swiss company with a local authorized representative, or by a Romanian SRL.
- Status
- Licensing open
- Regulator
- National Gambling Office
- Legal basis
- GEO 77/2009, as amended by GEO 82/2023 and GEO 7/2026
- Status checked
- October 16, 2026
Two licenses, one supply chain
Romania licenses the supply chain, not only operators. Operators hold Class I; suppliers performing a Class II activity defined in the law (game production, platforms and distribution, payment processing, testing, affiliate services) hold Class II, issued per activity. Both are issued by ONJN under GEO 77/2009 and run for 10 years.
Class I (B2C)
For operators that offer gambling to players in Romania, online or land-based: casino, sports betting, poker, bingo and slots. A Class I license is followed by an operating authorization, renewed every year.
Class II (B2B)
For suppliers to Class I operators: game studios, platform and RGS providers, live casino studios, payment processors, testing laboratories and affiliates. Issued per activity, with no separate operating authorization.
10-year validity
Both classes run for 10 years. The license stays in force only while annual fees, annual compliance documentation and monthly reporting are kept up to date.
Class I and Class II compared
| Class I (B2C) | Class II (B2B) | |
|---|---|---|
| Who needs it | Operators offering gambling to players in Romania | Suppliers performing a Class II activity for Romanian Class I operators |
| Who can apply | Romanian company, or EU/EEA company through a Romanian permanent establishment | Romanian SRL, or an EU, EEA or Swiss company directly |
| Local presence | Romanian entity or permanent establishment, local management and servers or mirror in Romania for online | Authorized representative in Romania for foreign holders |
| After the license | Annual operating authorization per platform (online) or per location (land-based) | None: the license itself allows the activity |
| Who you may work with | Romanian players; only licensed Class II suppliers | Only licensed Class I operators when serving Romania |
| Typical timeline | Several months: license, then technical authorization of the platform | 8–12 weeks from engagement to license |
| Reporting | Monthly reports, real-time data access for ONJN, taxes on gambling revenue | Monthly reports to ONJN by the 10th of the following month; content depends on the licensed activity, with extra technical duties for some supplier categories |
Which Class II activity covers your business
A Class II license names the activities it covers. A group that supplies games and also processes payments needs both activities licensed.
Game and software producers
Studios and developers whose slots, table games, RNG or game logic are offered by Romanian operators.
Platforms and distribution
Platform, remote game server and aggregator businesses that deliver content to operators.
Live casino studios
Studios streaming live dealer games to licensed operators.
Payment processing
Payment service providers handling deposits and withdrawals for licensed operators.
Testing and certification
Laboratories that test and certify gambling software and equipment for the Romanian market.
Affiliates and marketing
Affiliates and media earning commission or fees from Romanian Class I operators.
What ONJN expects in the application file
ONJN processes complete files only. We prepare, translate and check every document before filing.
Corporate
Articles and registry extract, group chart down to natural persons, apostilled and translated into Romanian; Romanian tax registration (CIF).
People
Fit-and-proper files for shareholders, directors and beneficial owners: IDs, criminal records, CVs, declarations.
Financial
Source of funds and wealth, financial statements or business plan, proof of financial capacity.
Technical
Description of the games, platform or service; laboratory certificates where the activity requires them; hosting and integration details.
Policies
AML/CFT policy under Law 129/2019, responsible gambling policy, data protection (GDPR) and internal procedures.
Representation
For foreign Class II holders, the appointment of a Romanian authorized representative who handles ONJN correspondence.
How the application runs
A Class II license typically takes 8–12 weeks from engagement. Class I adds the operating authorization and the technical review of the platform.
- 1Eligibility and structureWe confirm the class and activities you need and the entity that will hold the license: your EU company with a representative, or a new Romanian SRL (7–15 days to incorporate).
- 2DocumentsCorporate, fit-and-proper, financial, technical and policy documents, apostilled and translated.
- 3Filing and feesThe complete file is filed with ONJN and the government fees are paid on time; partial files are not processed.
- 4ONJN reviewIntegrity, ownership, technical and compliance review with clarification rounds, typically 30–60 days on a complete file.
- 5License and go-liveLicense decision and entry in the ONJN public register. Class II holders can sign Romanian operators; Class I operators apply for the operating authorization.
Ongoing obligations
- Monthly reports to ONJN by the 10th of the following month
- Annual license fees and annual compliance documentation, paid and filed on time
- Online changes notified within 48 hours, offline changes within 5 days
- Recertification before deploying material technical updates
- No services to unlicensed operators targeting Romania; blocking and reporting duties
- Integration with the national self-exclusion registry where services touch player accounts
What changed in 2026
First renewal cycle
Licenses issued in 2016 reach the end of their 10-year term. Renewal comes with a full review of reporting history, integrations and compliance. Start 6–12 months before expiry.
Supply-chain enforcement
Class II holders may not serve operators that target Romania without a license. Blocking measures and reporting are expected, and breaches can cost the license.
Local approval for venues
GEO 7/2026 gave local authorities a say over land-based gambling venues, adding an approval layer for Class I land-based operators.
National self-exclusion
The national self-exclusion registry set up by ONJN Order 79/2025 applies to every operator; services that touch player accounts must integrate with it.
Advertising and affiliates
ONJN enforces advertising rules more actively: no targeting of minors, time and placement limits, mandatory responsible gambling messages. Affiliates are in scope.
Blacklist and blocking
Unlicensed sites are blacklisted, blocked by internet providers and cut off from payments. Operating without a license risks fines and criminal liability.
Weighing Romania against other EU markets? Our European gambling license comparison covers all 27 member states: which products each licenses, the regulators, B2B rules and Finland's 2027 opening.
Compare EU marketsFrequently asked questions
What is the difference between Class I and Class II?
Class I is for operators that offer gambling to players in Romania (B2C) and is followed by an annual operating authorization. Class II is for suppliers to those operators (B2B): software, platforms, live studios, payments, testing and affiliates. Class II needs no operating authorization.
How long does a Class II license take?
Typically 8–12 weeks from engagement: two to four weeks to prepare the file, then 30–60 days of ONJN review on a complete file. Incomplete or inconsistent documents are the main cause of delay.
Can a non-Romanian company hold a Class II license?
Yes, if it is established in the EU, the EEA or Switzerland: it applies directly and appoints an authorized representative in Romania. Groups from elsewhere use a Romanian SRL or an EU company in the group.
Who can hold a Class I license?
A Romanian company, or an EU/EEA company operating through a permanent establishment in Romania. Online operators also need servers or a mirror in Romania and real-time data access for ONJN.
Do affiliates need a license in Romania?
Yes. Affiliates earning commission or fees from Romanian Class I operators need a Class II license for affiliate services.
How long is the license valid?
Ten years for both classes, as long as annual fees, annual compliance documentation and monthly reporting are kept up to date. Class I operating authorizations are renewed every year.
Can a Class II supplier work with unlicensed operators?
Not for the Romanian market. Supplying operators that target Romania without a license can lead to fines and revocation of the Class II license; suppliers are expected to block and report.
What are the reporting duties after licensing?
Monthly reports to ONJN by the 10th of the following month, notification of online changes within 48 hours and offline changes within 5 days, and recertification before material technical updates.
What changed in 2026?
The first 10-year licenses come up for renewal, ONJN enforces the supply chain and advertising rules more strictly, GEO 7/2026 added local approval for land-based venues, and every operator must use the national self-exclusion registry.
Do you include government fees in the roadmap?
Yes. Your roadmap lists the current ONJN fees for your class and activities, our fee, and the timeline for your structure.
Ready to apply in Romania?
Answer a few questions and get your roadmap. Our team replies within 24 hours.