Romania gambling licences are issued by ONJN under OUG 77/2009 and updated in 2026 by GEO 7/2026.
Licences are valid for 10 years and require strict compliance, annual fees, and, for operators, yearly authorisations.
Romania Gambling Licence 2026: What Investors Must Know
Romania is no longer just an accessible EU gambling market — in 2026 it has become a compliance-first, enforcement-driven jurisdiction.
If you want to:
- launch an online casino or sportsbook
- operate a land-based gambling business
- provide B2B services (platform, payments, affiliate)
you must obtain a licence from the Oficiul Național pentru Jocuri de Noroc (ONJN) and meet strict regulatory standards.
This guide explains exactly how to obtain a Romanian gambling licence, what changed in 2026, and how to stay compliant long-term.
Key Legal Framework
The Romanian gambling regime is governed by:
- OUG 77/2009 – core legislation
- HG 111/2016 – implementation rules
- GEO 82/2023 – structural reforms
- GEO 7/2026 – latest regulatory shift
Together, these establish a fully regulated, EU-aligned licensing system with increasing enforcement obligations.
2026 Regulatory Updates (Critical for B2B Providers)
The Romanian market has entered a new compliance phase. Key updates include:
1. First 10-Year License Renewal Cycle
- Licences issued in 2016 expire in 2026
- Renewal requires full compliance review
- ONJN will assess:
- technical integrations
- reporting history
- compliance breaches
👉 This is a high-risk moment for non-compliant providers.
2. Prohibition on Serving Unlicensed Operators
B2B providers must:
- not provide services to unlicensed B2C operators
- implement technical blocking measures
- terminate non-compliant partnerships
Failure to comply may result in:
- licence revocation
- financial penalties
3. Significant Changes Notification Regime
Under ONJN rules:
- Online changes → notify within 48 hours
- Offline changes → notify within 5 days
Applies to:
- platform updates
- ownership changes
- integrations
4. Increased Enforcement and Monitoring
ONJN now:
- introduction of local authority veto/approval layers (especially land-based)
- has expanded access to operator systems
- uses automated monitoring tools
- actively audits compliance
Investor takeaway: Romania is no longer just “accessible” — it is now actively supervised and compliance-driven.
Licensing System in Romania
Romania operates a two-tier licensing model:
Class I Licence (B2C Operators)
Required for companies offering gambling directly to players:
- online casinos
- sportsbooks
- poker, bingo, slots
- land-based venues
Key Facts:
- Validity: 10 years
- Requires: annual authorisation
- Covers: online or land-based (or both)
- Subject: to taxation and operational compliance
Class II License (B2B Suppliers)
Required for companies supporting operators, including:
- platform providers
- game developers
- payment processors
- affiliates
- hosting / infrastructure
- certification labs
Key Facts:
- Validity: 10 years
- No operational authorisation required
- Must work only with licensed operators
👉 Featured snippet answer:
A Class II licence in Romania is required for B2B gambling suppliers such as software providers, affiliates, and payment processors.
Reserved exclusively for the state lottery monopoly (not available to private investors).
Remote vs Land-Based Gambling
Romania applies a unified licensing regime, but with additional requirements for online operations.
Online (Remote Gambling)
Operators must:
- host or mirror systems in Romania
- connect to ONJN monitoring systems
- use licensed Class II providers
- ensure full traceability of transactions
Land-Based Gambling (2026 Update)
- subject to local council approval or restrictions
- must comply with zoning and social impact rules
- higher regulatory risk due to local veto powers
Step-by-Step Licensing Process (2026 Version)
Step 1 — Establish Legal Presence
- Romanian company (SRL or SA), or
- EU/EEA entity with Romanian branch
2026 update: Local regulatory acceptance (especially for land-based) must be assessed early.
Step 2 — Prepare Documentation (High Scrutiny Phase)
Key documents include:
- corporate structure and UBO disclosure
- criminal records and reputational checks
- financial capacity and tax compliance
- business plan and gambling products
- technical documentation (platform, RNG, infrastructure)
- contracts with Class II suppliers
- AML, GDPR, and responsible gambling policies
2026 reality: ONJN now performs deeper verification of ownership, funding sources, and supplier chains.
Step 3 — Submit Application & Pay Fees
Submit the full dossier to ONJN, including:
- application forms
- supporting documentation
- proof of fee payments
Critical timing rule: Fees must be paid on time (typically by the 25th of the following month) or risk automatic revocation.
Step 4 — ONJN Review and Approval
- document-based review
- clarification rounds common
- committee decision issued periodically
Timeline: ~20–30 days (longer if incomplete)
2026 update: More aggressive scrutiny on:
- operational substance
- cross-border activity
- compliance infrastructure
Step 5 — Obtain Authorisation (Class I Only)
Operators must obtain annual authorisations:
- per platform (online)
- per location/equipment (land-based)
Validity: 1 year (renewable)
Step 6 — Go Live & Maintain Compliance
Operators must:
- pay taxes and fees
- report to ONJN
- maintain AML and RG systems
- use only licensed suppliers
Key risk area (2026):
- affiliates targeting Romania without compliance
- indirect access to Romanian players
Step 7 — Renewal and Long-Term Compliance
You must:
- use licensed suppliers
- pay taxes and fees
- report to ONJN
- maintain AML & RG systems
Best practice: Start renewal preparation 6–12 months before expiry.
Fees Overview (Indicative Structure)
| Fee Type | Description |
|---|---|
| Licence issuance | One-time government fee |
| Annual licence fee | Paid yearly |
| Authorisation fee | Required for Class I |
| Responsible gambling contribution | Mandatory |
👉 Romania gambling licenses are valid for 10 years but require annual fees and compliance payments.
Responsible Gambling & Self-Exclusion (Mandatory in 2026)
Romania has strengthened player protection rules.
Key Requirements:
- deposit and loss limits
- player protection tools
- addiction awareness
- strict age verification
National Self-Exclusion System
Introduced via ONJN Order 79/2025:
- centralised exclusion database
- applies to all operators
- mandatory integration
Failure to comply can lead to license suspension or revocation.
Advertising Rules (Strictly Enforced)
Operators must comply with:
- no targeting minors
- restricted TV/radio hours
- no outdoor ads near schools
- mandatory RG messaging
- bonus restrictions in public media
2026 trend: ONJN actively enforces rules against affiliates and media platforms.
Blacklist & Enforcement
Romania protects its market through:
- ISP-level blocking of illegal sites
- public blacklist
- payment restrictions
- cooperation with Google / Meta
👉 Attempting to operate without a licence leads to:
- fines
- blocking
- potential criminal liability
Why Romania in 2026?
Romania in 2026 is a Tier 1 regulated market characterized by:
Advantages
- EU-regulated market
- 10-year licence stability
- strong legal clarity
- growing player base
Challenges
- high compliance requirements
- strict enforcement
- local authority control (land-based)
Investor Insight
Romania is a Tier 1 regulated gambling jurisdiction — but only for operators who:
- structure correctly
- prepare documentation professionally
- maintain strict ongoing compliance
👉 Bottom line: Success in Romania is not about entry — it’s about sustainable compliance and regulatory alignment.
We assist with:
company formation
Class I & Class II licensing
ONJN file preparation
AML & compliance frameworks
payment & platform structuring
👉 Request a cost breakdown + timeline (PDF) and launch with full regulatory certainty.
FAQ — Romania Gambling License (2026)
What is a Romania gambling license?
A Romania gambling license is an official authorization issued by the Oficiul Național pentru Jocuri de Noroc (ONJN) that allows companies to legally operate gambling activities or provide gambling-related services in Romania under OUG 77/2009.
How long is a Romanian gambling license valid?
A Romanian gambling license is valid for 10 years, but operators must:
pay annual license fees
renew operational authorizations (Class I)
maintain ongoing compliance
What is the difference between Class I and Class II licences?
Class I license → required for operators offering gambling to players (B2C)
Class II license → required for suppliers (B2B), such as software providers, affiliates, or payment processors
👉 Class II does not require operational authorization, unlike Class I.
How long does it take to obtain a gambling licence in Romania?
The standard timeline is:
20–30 days for ONJN review (complete file)
4–8 weeks total including preparation
Delays occur if documentation is incomplete or inconsistent.
Can a foreign company obtain a Romanian gambling license?
Yes. A foreign investor can:
incorporate a Romanian company (SRL or SA), or
operate via an EU/EEA entity with a Romanian branch
There are no nationality restrictions on shareholders.
What are the main requirements for licensing?
Applicants must provide:
full corporate and UBO disclosure
financial capacity proof
clean criminal records
technical systems documentation
contracts with licensed Class II providers
AML, GDPR, and responsible gambling policies
What changed in Romania gambling law in 2026?
Under GEO 7/2026:
local authorities can restrict land-based gambling
stricter compliance and enforcement apply
first 10-year license renewals started
stronger control of affiliates and advertising
Is a separate authorization required after licensing?
Yes — for Class I operators:
authorization is required to operate
valid for 1 year
must be renewed annually
Class II suppliers do not need this step.
What is the ONJN blacklist?
The ONJN blacklist is a public list of unlicensed gambling websites:
ISPs block access in Romania
payments and advertising are restricted
users are redirected to a warning page
Operating without a license can result in fines or criminal liability.
What are the key compliance obligations?
Operators must:
pay taxes and license fees on time
report to ONJN
implement AML and responsible gambling systems
use licensed suppliers only
notify ONJN of changes
Failure to comply may result in license suspension or revocation.
Is Romania a good jurisdiction for gambling businesses?
Yes — Romania is considered a Tier 1 EU gambling market with:
strong legal framework
10-year license stability
high regulatory credibility
However, it requires strict compliance and professional structuring.
We assist with:
company formation
Class I & Class II licensing
ONJN file preparation
AML & compliance frameworks
payment & platform structuring
👉 Request a cost breakdown + timeline (PDF) and launch with full regulatory certainty.