Romania B2C Gambling License
Class 1 – Complete Guide
Everything online and land-based operators need to know about obtaining and maintaining the ONJN Class 1 (B2C) license — real fees after Law 141/2025, the 30% GGR tax, timeline, requirements, and ongoing compliance obligations.
€300,000
Annual License Fee
30% GGR
Authorization Tax
€480,000
Minimum Annual Tax
~30
Days ONJN Decision
10 yrs
Validity Period
>90%
Channelization Rate
Class 1 (B2C) License – Key Facts
| License Type | Class 1 (B2C) |
| Issuing Authority | ONJN (Romania) |
| Governing Law | GEO 77/2009+GD 111/2016 |
| Application Fee | €3,500 analysis + €10,500 issuance |
| Annual License | €300,000 |
| Authorization Tax | 30% of GGR min €480,000 |
| Responsible Gambling | €500,000 |
| License Validity | Up to 10 years (annual authorization) |
| Typical Timeline | 3-4 months end to end |
| Eligible Applicants | Romanian companies or EU/EEA/Swiss entities with permanent establishment |
What Is the Romania Class 1 (B2C) Gambling License?
If you’re wondering whether you need a Romania Class 1 (B2C) gambling licence, the answer is yes if your company offers games of chance directly to players located in Romania — online casino, sports betting, poker, or land-based casinos, betting shops, slot halls and bingo. Issued by Romania’s National Gambling Office (ONJN), the Class 1 licence must be paired with an annual authorisation for each activity: the licence grants the right to operate, the authorisation is the annual permit tied to the actual gambling activity and paid as a GGR-based tax.
Romania regulated its online market in 2015, earlier and more cleanly than most of Central and Eastern Europe. The result is a mature, well-supervised market with a channelization rate exceeding 90% — the overwhelming majority of player activity runs through licensed operators, because ONJN blocks, blacklists and payment-restricts the alternative. That enforcement is precisely what makes the licence valuable.
Every major vertical is open to private operators. The single carve-out is lottery: lottery games, including online lottery, remain a state monopoly held by Loteria Română under a Class 3 licence not available to private investors.
Since 2023, however, the legislature has been steadily raising the price of admission. GEO 82/2023 (approved by Law 107/2024) closed offshore-friendly structures and expanded compliance duties. Law 141/2025 rewrote the fiscal side: the online authorisation tax moved from 21% to 30% of GGR, and the old turnover-tiered licence fee (€15,600–312,000) was replaced with a flat €300,000. If you last looked at Romanian licensing costs before August 2025, your numbers are wrong.
LICENSE SUMMARY
| License Class | Class 1 (B2C) |
| Regulator | ONJN Romania |
| Primary Law | GEO 77/2009 |
| License Duration | Up to 10 years |
| Application Fee | €14,000 |
| Annual Total | €800,000+ /yr |
| GGR Tax | 30% min €480k |
| Typical Timeline | 3 – 4 months |
2026 Regulatory Update: A broader rewrite of the gambling law remains on the political agenda in 2026, with proposals ranging from institutional reorganisation of the regulator to a higher minimum gambling age. Nothing is enacted at the time of writing and existing licensees operate normally — but applicants filing this year should have counsel monitoring the parliamentary track, because transition provisions in Romanian gambling amendments have historically been short.
We can help you incorporate and obtain the Class 1 (B2C) Romania Gaming License
Who Needs a Romania Class 1 B2C Gambling License?
Any entity offering games of chance directly to players located in Romania must hold a valid Class 1 license and the corresponding annual authorization — regardless of where the operator’s group is headquartered.
Online Casino Operators
Slots, RNG table games, and live casino offered to players physically located in Romania. One authorization covers the whole platform, which must run on Class 2-licensed technology with a mirror server in Romania.
Online Sports Betting
Fixed-odds betting, exchange betting and pool betting online. Subject to the same €300,000 license fee and 30% GGR authorization tax as online casino, under a single platform authorization.
Online Poker & Bingo
Peer-to-peer poker networks and online bingo offered to Romanian players. Rake and entry-fee revenue falls under the GGR-based authorization tax.
Land-Based Casinos
Casino halls with live table games. Authorizations attach per location and table; licensing requires a prior on-site inspection by ONJN and police representatives before approval.
Betting Shops & Slot Halls
Retail fixed-odds betting agencies and slot-machine venues. License tax between €15,000 and €200,000 by activity; authorization taxes attach per location or per machine.
Land-Based Bingo & Poker Clubs
Bingo halls and poker club venues. Subject to venue-level authorizations, prior inspection, and the land-based fee schedule.
Suppliers don’t need Class 1 — they need Class 2. Software developers, platforms, hosting, payment processors, live studios, labs and affiliates require the Romania Class 2 (B2B) license at €20,000/year. Class 1 operators may only work with Class 2-licensed suppliers.
Regulatory and Legislative Framework
Romania’s gambling sector is governed by one of the most comprehensive regulatory frameworks in Central and Eastern Europe. The primary legislation applicable to Class 1 (B2C) licence holders is listed below.
| Legislation | Relevance to Class 1 (B2C) Holders |
|---|---|
| GEO no. 77/2009 (primary gambling law, as amended) | Establishes licensing categories (Class 1–3), defines ONJN’s authority and enforcement powers, governs online and land-based gambling, sets licensing conditions, and outlines penalties for non-compliance. |
| GD no. 111/2016 (methodological norms) | Detailed technical, financial, and operational requirements for each license class. The primary operational rulebook for Class 2 applications and the standard ONJN audit checklist. |
| GEO 82/2023 + Law 107/2024 (establishment & compliance reform) | Closed offshore-friendly structures (permanent establishment in Romania required), expanded B2B duties, broadened blacklisting to brands and marks, introduced responsible gambling contributions at scale. |
| Law 141/2025 (fiscal reform, in force 1 Aug 2025) | Raised the online authorization tax from 21% to 30% of GGR (minimum €480,000), set the flat €300,000 annual license fee, and raised player winnings tax brackets. |
| ONJN President’s Orders (incl. Order 47/2016 + amendments) | Secondary regulations and operational guidelines updated periodically. Govern B2B licensing procedures, official forms, documentation requirements, source-code registration rules, and audit processes. |
| Law no. 129/2019 (AML/CFT — AMLD V implementation) | Requires gambling operators and B2B suppliers to maintain AML risk assessments, designate a Compliance Officer, conduct KYB due diligence on clients, and file suspicious transaction reports with ONPCSB. |
| GDPR (Reg. 2016/679) (directly applicable EU law) | Governs data storage, retention, transfer, and breach notification for licensed B2B providers processing personal data of Romanian players or operators. Requires a GDPR-compliant privacy framework. |
| Fiscal Code (Law 227/2015) | Establishes corporate tax (16%), VAT (21%), and withholding tax rules applicable to licensed B2B providers operating in or supplying to the Romanian market. |
ONJN continuously updates its licensing criteria through published decisions and circulars. Keeping documentation aligned with the latest guidance is essential for uninterrupted compliance and successful renewal.
Romania Class 1 License Fees & Costs (2026)
All fees are denominated in EUR and subject to ONJN confirmation at the time of application. The figures below reflect the standard fee structure for online B2C operators after Law 141/2025. This is the section most guides skip.
€14,000
Application & Issuance Fee
€3,500 documentation analysis fee, payable at submission and non-refundable if rejected, plus €10,500 one-time license issuance fee.
Paid at Submission / Issuance
€300,000
Annual License Fee
Flat annual fee for the online B2C license, replacing the previous turnover-tiered scale (€15,600–312,000). Land-based: €15,000–200,000 by activity.
Due on Approval – Annually
30% of GGR
Annual Authorization Tax
30% of gross gaming revenue, with a minimum of €480,000 per year — raised from 21% / €400,000 by Law 141/2025, in force since 1 August 2025.
Annual – Min €480,000
€500,000
Responsible Gambling Contribution
Mandatory annual contribution to the social responsibility and problem gambling prevention activity administered alongside ONJN.
Annual
€20–40k+
Compliance Operations
Game certification renewals, AML tooling and screening, responsible gambling systems, mirror server infrastructure and annual audit preparation.
Annual – Ongoing
Capital
Share Capital & Guarantee
Minimum share capital by activity type plus the financial guarantee securing obligations to the state budget — committed rather than spent, but tightened by the recent amendments.
Balance Sheet Commitment
TOTAL FIXED ANNUAL REGULATORY COST (ONLINE B2C)
€800,000 / year
Comprising the €300,000 license fee, the €480,000 minimum authorization tax and the €500,000 RG contribution overlap depending on GGR — before the 30% GGR tax bites on revenue above the minimum. Romania stopped being a cheap license in August 2025; it now favors operators with real scale or a credible plan to reach it.
From Kickoff to License: 3 – 4 Months
The process is structured and predictable when the documentation package is complete. ONJN’s decision is the shortest part — the file preparation is the schedule. Here is how we guide clients through every stage.
1
1-2 WEEKS
Incorporation & Establishment
Incorporate the Romanian SRL/SA or register the permanent establishment of the EU/EEA/Swiss entity. Longer if the capital structure or foreign corporate shareholders add notarial and translation steps.
2
4-8 WEEKS
Application Dossier Assembly
This is where the timeline is actually decided. We assemble the complete corporate, financial and technical file, driven mostly by certification lead times and Class 2 supplier contracting:
- Corporate, KYC/UBO and financial documentation with certified translations
- Platform architecture, RNG and game certifications from ONJN-recognised labs
- AML/CFT, Responsible Gambling and GDPR compliance policies
- Contracts with Class 2-licensed suppliers for every critical service
3
€3,500 ANALYSIS FEE
Submission to ONJN
We submit the complete dossier and act as your official representative. The Supervisory Committee reviews complete files at its sessions, held roughly twice monthly.
4
~30 DAYS
ONJN Review & Clarifications
ONJN verifies corporate and financial records, conducts background checks and may request supplements. Fast, precise responses keep you in the current review cycle; slow ones push you to the next. Land-based casinos, poker clubs and bingo halls additionally require a prior on-site inspection by ONJN and police representatives.
5
1ST OF FOLLOWING MONTH
Approval & Issuance
The license takes effect on the first day of the month following approval, conditional on payment of the license fee. The granting order is published on ONJN’s website.
6
ANNUAL RENEWAL
Authorization & Go-Live
The authorisation certificate is valid for one year and renews on payment of the annual tax. Online operators complete integration with ONJN’s monitoring systems and the national self-exclusion registry before accepting players.
Requirements Checklist for the Romania Class 1 License
A complete and compliant documentation package is the single most important factor in obtaining the license efficiently. ONJN requires every applicant to demonstrate corporate transparency, financial stability, technical readiness and regulatory compliance.
1. Corporate Establishment
These documents show that your company is legally established and properly structured:
- Certificate of Incorporation or official Registration Extract of a Company registered in Romania, or EU/EEA/Swiss entity with a registered permanent establishment in Romania
- Articles of Association / Company Statutes (current version)
- Full Shareholder Register with ownership percentages and UBO chain
- Director Register with full names, nationality, and appointment dates
- Company Resolution authorizing the ONJN Class 2 application
- Corporate structure chart showing ownership hierarchy
If your company is incorporated outside Romania, all documents must be officially translated into Romanian by a certified translator and apostilled where required.
2. KYC & Background Checks
- Passport or national ID copies for all shareholders (≥ 10% ownership) and directors
- Proof of residential address (utility bill or bank statement, max. 3 months old)
- Police clearance / criminal record certificate from country of residence
- Short professional CV or biography for all key personnel
- Declaration of no conflicts of interest or prior regulatory sanctions
ONJN scrutinizes the integrity and professional background of all individuals with material influence over the company. Any prior gaming-related sanctions or criminal convictions are disqualifying.
3. Financial Soundness
To prove financial stability, ONJN usually requests:
- Financial statements or opening balance
- Proof of paid-up capital at the statutory minimum
- Fiscal certificates showing no debts to the Romanian state
- Financial guarantee securing obligations to the state budget
The applicant must demonstrate capacity to pay both taxes and player winnings.
4. Technical File
- Platform architecture with full data flow
- RNG and game certifications from ONJN-recognised labs
- Mirror server located in Romania recording transactions for ONJN monitoring (online)
- Contracts with Class 2-licensed suppliers for every critical service
The Class 2 supplier contracts are a common gap in first submissions, because suppliers’ own licences are sometimes still pending.
5. AML, Responsible Gambling & Data Protection
ONJN reviews your technical setup to verify system integrity and security. Your file should include:
- AML procedures under Law 129/2019 and the gambling-sector AML norms, with an appointed AML officer
- Responsible gambling procedures and self-exclusion registry integration plan
- GDPR-compliant data protection framework
Source-code registration is mandatory for all B2B software providers. Aggregators must also ensure that each third-party game provider under their distribution performs separate source-code registration in Romania.
[Get Your Custom Cost & Timeline PDF] — Request a tailored plan with exact document requirements for your project.
Ongoing Compliance, Advertising & Self-Exclusion
The Class 1 licence is valid for up to 10 years — but maintaining it requires continuous compliance. ONJN actively monitors licensees and has authority to suspend or revoke authorizations for non-compliance.
Annual Fee & Tax Payments
The €300,000 license fee, the GGR-based authorization tax and the €500,000 RG contribution must be paid on time each year. Missed payments risk suspension.
Self-Exclusion Registry
Under Order 79/2025 the national registry is held by ONJN. Operators have real-time access and an absolute obligation to check it at account opening and deny access to listed persons.
Advertising Restrictions
No targeting of minors, no daytime broadcast slots, no outdoor ads near schools and places of worship, mandatory RG messaging, and no bonus promotion in public media outside owned channels. Sponsorship remains permitted.
Player Winnings Withholding
Operators withhold tax on player winnings at progressive rates — currently starting at 4% and rising to 40% at the top bracket — and remit it to ANAF. Wallet systems must handle this at payout.
Technical & Financial Audits
Periodic ONJN inspections and audits. Platform, certifications, mirror-server data, AML records and financial reporting must remain audit-ready at all times.
ONJN Representation
We represent clients during inspections, information requests and regulatory inquiries — and monitor the 2026 legislative track, where transition periods have historically been short.
Romania B2C Gambling License — FAQs
For an online B2C operator in 2026: €3,500 file analysis fee, €10,500 issuance fee, €300,000 flat annual license fee, an annual authorization tax of 30% of GGR (minimum €480,000), and a €500,000 annual responsible gambling contribution. A Class 2 supplier license costs €20,000 per year. Land-based license fees range from €15,000 to €200,000 depending on the activity.
ONJN normally decides a complete file within about 30 days, with the licence effective on the first day of the following month. Realistically, plan 3–4 months end to end, because assembling the corporate, financial and technical file — certifications, Class 2 supplier contracts, translations — takes longer than the regulator’s review.
Yes. The applicant must be a company registered in Romania or an EU/EEA/Swiss entity with a registered permanent establishment in Romania. Shareholders can be 100% foreign. Most international operators incorporate a Romanian SRL as the license holder.
Class 1 is the B2C operator license for anyone offering games to players, online or land-based, and must be paired with annual authorizations. Class 2 is the B2B license for suppliers — software and game developers, platform and hosting providers, payment processors, live casino studios, certification labs and affiliates. Licensed operators may only use Class 2-licensed suppliers. See our full Class 2 (B2B) guide.
Since 1 August 2025 (Law 141/2025), online operators pay an annual authorisation tax of 30% of gross gaming revenue, with a minimum of €480,000. Operators also withhold tax on player winnings at progressive rates starting at 4%. Land-based authorization taxes vary by activity type.
In force since 1 August 2025: the online authorization tax rose from 21% to 30% of GGR; the minimum authorization tax rose from €400,000 to €480,000; the annual license fee became a flat €300,000, replacing the old turnover tiers (€15,600–312,000); player winnings tax brackets were raised; and the self-exclusion registry moved formally to ONJN with real-time operator access.
Yes. Online casino, sports betting and poker are legal when offered by an ONJN-licensed operator. Unlicensed sites are blacklisted and blocked at ISP level — the blacklist currently exceeds 1,500 domains, and since GEO 82/2023 it can also include the brands and marks of unlicensed actors. Only lottery games remain a state monopoly.
For the right operator, yes. In favour: a regulated EU market of 19 million people, real enforcement against unlicensed competition, an established payments and supplier ecosystem. Against: fixed regulatory costs approaching €1 million per year for online B2C, a 30% GGR tax at the high end of the EU range, and legislative volatility requiring active monitoring. Romania no longer rewards opportunistic entry — model the 30% tax against your actual product margins before committing.
Ready to Enter the Romanian B2C iGaming Market?
Whether you are an online operator, a land-based group, or a supplier weighing Class 1 against Class 2 — our specialist team can assess your eligibility, model the 30% GGR tax against your margins, prepare your complete application, and guide you from kickoff to license issuance.
