Gambling License Consulting Blog - Szilaghi Consulting

Gambling License Costs 2026: The Complete iGaming Licensing Guide

August 31, 2026August 31, 2026 by Szilaghi Consulting

TL;DR: The cheapest gambling license is rarely the cheapest jurisdiction to operate from. In 2026, operators need to compare total Year 1 cost, GGR tax, capital requirements, banking access, compliance obligations and time-to-market — not simply the application fee. For most operators, the decisive question is not “Which gambling license is cheapest?” but “Which license gives this business the market access, banking and regulatory credibility … Continue

Romanian iGaming Licensing Under the ONJN Framework: The Complete 2026 Guide

August 24, 2026 by Szilaghi Consulting

TL;DR: Romania runs a two-instrument regime under GEO 77/2009: a licence to organise (up to 10 years) and an annual authorisation to operate that carries the tax. Class 1 is B2C and vertical-specific; Class 2 is B2B and granted by generic activity category. Since Law 141/2025 (in force 1 August 2025), remote operators pay 30% of GGR with a EUR 480,000 annual floor, which makes … Continue

ONJN’s TotoGaming Ruling Raises the Bar for Gambling Ads

August 20, 2026 by Szilaghi Consulting

TL;DR: ONJN’s TotoGaming ruling marks a significant change in Romanian gambling advertising enforcement. The regulator fined TG Malta Limited RON 20,000 after assessing the overall consumer impact of a doctor-themed campaign, rather than relying solely on formal compliance elements such as 18+ warnings and licence information. ONJN considered the medical setting, trusted professional persona, routine-gambling message and direct call to action collectively problematic. The case … Continue

The €91 Billion Elephant: Romania’s Regulator Just Told Google, Meta and TikTok the Party Is Over

August 18, 2026August 13, 2026 by Szilaghi Consulting

ONJN blacklist enforcement against illegal gambling advertising on Google, Meta and TikTok

TL;DR: Romania’s ONJN has stopped asking nicely: 1,180 sites blacklisted in 16 months, 5-hour DSA takedown orders, and formal notice to Google, Meta, TikTok and the payment processors that carrying unlicensed gambling ads is now complicity, not oversight. The legal ground shifted underneath the platforms — OUG 77/2009 demands a whitelist standard (Romanian-licensed advertisers only), not a blacklist one, and the CJEU’s €750k Google ruling … Continue

What Is the ONJN License and Why Does It Matter?

July 27, 2026 by Szilaghi Consulting

TL;DR: In Romania, the ONJN gambling license is the only casino credential that legally counts. A Malta or UK license — however respected — gives you nothing as a Romanian player; the operator still needs ONJN authorization to touch your money. That license isn’t a footer decoration: it means the site cleared financial, technical, and security checks and stays under ongoing supervision, which is exactly … Continue

How Long Does It Take to Get a Gaming License?

July 15, 2026 by Szilaghi Consulting

TL;DR There is no universal timeline for obtaining a gaming license. Depending on the jurisdiction, business structure, and application quality, approval can take anywhere from 4 weeks to more than 12 months. Fast-track offshore jurisdictions may issue licenses within one to three months, while highly regulated markets such as the UK, Malta, or U.S. states often require several months of regulatory review and extensive due … Continue

What Is a Gaming License? Investor’s Complete Guide

July 15, 2026 by Szilaghi Consulting

TL;DR A gaming license is the legal authorization that allows a company to offer gambling services such as online casinos, sportsbooks, poker rooms, lotteries, or betting exchanges. Without a license, operators cannot legally target regulated markets, process payments through reputable providers, or establish trust with players and business partners. Choosing the right jurisdiction is one of the most important business decisions an iGaming company will … Continue

How to Obtain an Anjouan Gambling License: Step-by-Step Guide

July 15, 2026July 14, 2026 by Szilaghi Consulting

Quick Answer To obtain an Anjouan gambling license, you apply through Anjouan Licensing Services Inc. (ALSI), the official license administrator under the Anjouan Offshore Finance Authority (AOFA). The process has six stages: choose your license type, gather KYC and corporate documents, prepare a technical and compliance dossier, submit the application with the ~€17,828 fee, complete a 2–4 week regulatory review, and receive your certificate. Most complete … Continue

Georgia’s Foreign-Only iGaming License: The Quiet Opportunity Smart Operators Are Already Circling

July 2, 2026July 1, 2026 by Szilaghi Consulting

The next jurisdiction worth adding to your licensing stack just surfaced — and almost nobody in Western Europe is talking about it yet. Yes — and if you move early, it may be one of the smartest additions to your licensing stack in 2026. Georgia is rolling out a foreign-only online gambling license with a 5% GGR tax rate, a five-year term, and an annual … Continue

ONJN Corruption Investigation: DNA Bribery Probe Shakes Romania’s Gambling Regulator

July 26, 2026June 30, 2026 by Szilaghi Consulting

Romania's Gambling Industry Faces Crisis as DNA Corruption Probe Targets ONJN Officials

TL;DR Romania’s gambling industry is facing one of its most significant regulatory scandals after the National Anticorruption Directorate (DNA) arrested two people, including a former ONJN president, in a bribery investigation tied to a disputed €1 million jackpot payout from 2023. Court documents obtained by G4Media and confirmed by HotNews describe a Bulgarian businessman promising the ONJN secretary general €100,000 to avoid sanctions, with the … Continue

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