Short answer
Romania licenses gambling through one regulator, the ONJN, under OUG 77/2009. Operators need a Class 1 license plus an annual operating authorization: a fixed floor of €1,280,000 a year (license €300,000 + 30% GGR fee minimum €480,000 + RG contribution €500,000), and at least €3,294,000 committed in year 1 once the €2,000,000 guarantee is posted. Suppliers need a Class 2 license: €45,500 in year 1 and €35,000 a year after, in about 2–3 months.
Which ONJN license do you need?
You offer games to players in Romania
Online casino, sports betting, poker, bingo — and land-based casinos, betting shops and slot halls.
€1,280,000 a year, fixed floor
Fees, guarantee, the 12-step route and the dossier Class 2 (B2B)You supply licensed operators
Game studios, platforms, aggregators, PSPs, hosting, live studios, test labs and affiliates.
€35,000 a year, fixed
Fees, the 10-part checklist, source code and ORDAClass 3 is the state lottery monopoly held by Loteria Română and is not available to private applicants. If you supply operators and plan to operate, you need both classes in separate scopes.
What a Romanian license really costs
Statutory amounts only, paid to ONJN or the state budget. Professional, laboratory and infrastructure costs are quoted per project. Fees for every game category, guarantees and the 2026 local authorization are explained in our analysis of gambling taxes in Romania. Market size and the 2027 outlook: Romania gambling market in 2026.
| Charge | Year 1 | Year 2+ | Set by |
|---|---|---|---|
| File-analysis fee (on submission, non-refundable) | €3,500 | — | OUG 77/2009 Annex (OUG 82/2023) |
| License issuance fee (on grant) | €10,500 | — | idem |
| Annual license fee (flat) | €300,000 | €300,000 | Law 141/2025 |
| Authorization fee — 30% of GGR, minimum | €480,000 | €480,000 | Law 141/2025 |
| Responsible-gambling contribution | €500,000 | €500,000 | art. 10(5¹) OUG 77/2009 |
| Cash outlay (fixed floor + one-off fees) | €1,294,000 | €1,280,000 | |
| Financial guarantee — online non-casino / online casino (kept, not spent) | €2,000,000 / €5,000,000 | maintained | art. 29 OUG 77/2009 |
| Year-1 commitment incl. guarantee | €3,294,000 / €6,294,000 |
| Charge | Year 1 | Year 2+ | Basis |
|---|---|---|---|
| File-analysis fee | — | — | Class 1 only |
| One-off administrative / issuance fee | €10,500 | — | fixed |
| Annual license fee | €20,000 | €20,000 | fixed |
| Responsible-gambling contribution | €15,000 | €15,000 | fixed |
| Total statutory cost | €45,500 | €35,000 | no GGR tax, no guarantee |
Three reforms that rewrote the numbers
OUG 82/2023, approved by Law 107/2024. Ended remote service from abroad: an operator must be a Romanian company or an EU/EEA/Swiss entity with a registered Romanian permanent establishment. Replaced the fee annex and fixed the financial guarantees.
Law 141/2025, in force 1 August 2025. Authorization fee from 21% to 30% of GGR; minimum from €400,000 to €480,000; the tiered license fee (€15,600–312,000) replaced by a flat €300,000; the lowest winnings-tax band from 3% to 4%; stronger blacklist powers.
If a guide still quotes 21%, 27%, or a license-fee range, it predates August 2025.
License + authorization
- License
- licența de organizare — admits the operator · 10 years
- Authorization
- autorizația de exploatare — right to operate · 1 year, renewed
- Issued by
- ONJN Supervisory Committee
- Decision clock
- 30 days from a complete file · no tacit approval
- Suppliers
- Class 1 may contract only Class 2-licensed suppliers
ONJN and the law that governs it
The Oficiul Național pentru Jocuri de Noroc (ONJN), established under OUG 20/2013, licenses, supervises and sanctions all gambling in Romania. Its Supervisory Committee decides applications. Since May 2025 it is also the sole AML supervisor for the gambling sector.
| Instrument | What it does for you |
|---|---|
| OUG (GEO) 77/2009 | Principal gambling law: license classes, ONJN powers, Annex of fees and share capital, sanctions. |
| Law 246/2010 · Law 124/2015 | Approved OUG 77/2009 and introduced the 2015 online regime. |
| HG (GD) 111/2016 | Methodological norms: dossier content (Annex 6a), technical rules, KYC (art. 129), record keeping. |
| OUG 82/2023 · Law 107/2024 | Class I: Romanian company or EU/EEA/Swiss entity with a Romanian permanent establishment (art. 1(2)); Class II: EU/EEA entities may hold the license in their own name with an authorized representative in Romania; new fee annex; fixed guarantees. |
| OUG 80/2024 · Law 141/2025 | 30% authorization fee (min €480,000), new winnings-tax bands, blacklist powers — in force 1 Aug 2025. |
| Law 239/2025 | Most recent amendment to OUG 77/2009 (MO Part I no. 1160/2025). |
| Law 129/2019 | AML/CFT. Gambling operators are reporting entities; ONJN is sole AML supervisor for gambling since May 2025. |
| ONJN Order 370/2021 | Gambling-sector AML instructions: designated reporting persons, ONPCSB reporting. |
| ONJN Order 79/2025 | Procedure for the national self-exclusion database (art. 15^1 OUG 77/2009). |
| Fiscal Code (Law 227/2015) | 16% corporate income tax, permanent establishment (art. 8), winnings withholding (art. 110). |
| CNA Decision 573/2025 | Audiovisual Code: broadcast gambling advertising window and influencer ban (art. 109). |
Who can hold the license
- Any class: a Romanian SRL (standard choice) or SA (complex cap tables, incoming investors);
- Class 1 (B2C): alternatively an EU/EEA/Swiss entity with a registered Romanian permanent establishment (art. 8 Fiscal Code) with its own fiscal code;
- Class 2 (B2B): alternatively a company established in the EU/EEA, in its own name, with no permanent establishment required — but a non-resident Class 2 licensee must have an authorized representative in Romania (local representation). Suppliers from outside the EU/EEA hold the license through a Romanian company;
- fit-and-proper files for every administrator, legal representative and holder of 5% or more (HG 111/2016 Annex 6a).
Step by step, with capital, tax and timing: company formation for a Class 1 license · company formation for a Class 2 license. We incorporate the entity: see corporate structuring and substance.
Share capital per activity
| Activity (Annex, OUG 77/2009) | Minimum paid-up | ≈ EUR |
|---|---|---|
| Lottery games | RON 2,000,000 | €393,700 |
| Remote (online) gambling | RON 1,000,000 | €196,900 |
| Fixed-odds betting | RON 1,000,000 | €196,900 |
| Mutual (pool) betting | RON 1,000,000 | €196,900 |
| Casino games | RON 1,000,000 | €196,900 |
| Bingo through television networks | RON 1,000,000 | €196,900 |
| Temporary games | RON 1,000,000 | €196,900 |
| Bingo in gaming halls | RON 100,000 | €19,700 |
| Poker clubs and poker festivals | RON 100,000 | €19,700 |
| Traditional tombola | RON 100,000 | €19,700 |
| Slot-machine games | RON 30,000 | €5,900 |
Cumulative across licensed activities. EUR at an indicative 5.08 RON/EUR. The financial guarantee (€2,000,000 / €5,000,000) is a separate bank or EU/EEA/Swiss insurance instrument.
From pre-screening to Supervisory Committee decision
- Weeks 1–2
Pre-screen and structure
Confirm the activity set (and so the cumulative share capital), choose SRL, SA, permanent establishment (Class 1) or a direct EU/EEA license with local representation (Class 2), and fit-and-proper screen every shareholder, director and UBO before anything is filed. Scope the guarantee, laboratory and mirror server.
- Weeks 3–5
Incorporate and capitalize
ONRC registration, share capital paid and evidenced, registered office, tax registration, bank account; for a non-resident Class 2 licensee, the authorized representative in Romania.
- Weeks 5–8
Assemble the dossier
Corporate, KYC and financial files; laboratory certification; mirror and safety server configuration; AML/CFT, RG and advertising policies; ORDA registration of proprietary software.
- Weeks 8–9
File with ONJN
Standard-form application in Romanian, signed by the legal representative. Class 1 pays the €3,500 file-analysis fee on submission.
- Weeks 9–11
Clarification cycle
Same-week answers keep the file inside the 30-day review; a two-week delay per round adds a month. We handle the correspondence in Romanian.
- Week 12
Decision, fees, authorization
On grant: Class 1 pays the €10,500 issuance fee and €300,000 license fee, then applies for the annual authorization; Class 2 pays €10,500 + €35,000 and is listed on the ONJN register.
Step-by-step detail, dossiers and checklists: Class 1 route (12 steps) · Class 2 route (5 steps).
Romania vs Malta vs Isle of Man vs Curaçao vs Anjouan
| Romania | Malta | Isle of Man | Curaçao | Anjouan | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Regulator | ONJN | MGA | GSC | CGA | AOFA · ALSI |
| Status | EU regulator · Romania only | EU regulator | Crown Dependency | Offshore (Kingdom of NL) | Offshore |
| Annual gov. cost | €1,280,000 B2C · €35,000 B2B | €25,000 + contribution (min €15,000) | £36,750 | €47,450 B2C · €24,490 B2B | €17,828 |
| Tax on GGR | 30%, min €480,000 | 15% / 10% on players in Malta | 0.1–1.5% duty on GGY | 0% intl GGR | 0% |
| Time to license | 6–9 months B2C · 2–3 months B2B | 4–6 months | 10–12 weeks | 2–5 months | 2–4 weeks |
| Local substance | B2C: RO entity or PE, mirror server · B2B: RO entity, or EU/EEA entity with local representative | MT company, key functions, system audit | 2 resident directors, Designated Official, IoM servers | Seat, MD, office, MLRO, key persons | None |
For a B2C operator still proving its product, Romania is a second step — start with Curaçao or Anjouan, then add Romania once volume clears €1,600,000 GGR. For suppliers, Romania Class 2 is usually the first EU license to take. All jurisdictions side by side: compare gambling license jurisdictions.
Why the license has value
28
Class I (B2C) register rows, running 92 domains
413
Class II (B2B) license rows, held by about 355 companies
2,881
domains on the ONJN blacklist (25 September 2026), blocked by ISPs
Register counts from the ONJN Class I and Class II registers as of 5 October 2026. The Court of Accounts put 2023 online gaming revenue at RON 7.3 billion. Blocking runs from ONJN Supervisory Committee decisions directly to internet providers.
Written and reviewed by Alex Szilaghi
Founder of Szilaghi Consulting. More than twenty years in gambling licensing and corporate structuring across EU, UK, Canadian and offshore jurisdictions, based in Romania and working before ONJN on Class 1 and Class 2 files. We act as Romanian representative and local director for foreign ONJN licensees and file their monthly regulatory reports, so these guides reflect how the rules are applied in practice, not only how they read.
Last legal review . Current to OUG 77/2009 as amended through Law 141/2025 and Law 239/2025. General information, not legal advice.
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Latest on Romanian gambling regulation
Romania gambling license: frequently asked questions
How do I choose a consultant for a Romanian gaming license?
Ask for the correct license class in writing, an eligibility check of the applicant entity, the full statutory budget (fees, authorization tax, guarantee), an auditable dossier and named post-license support. Avoid anyone who guarantees approval or timing. See how to choose a Romanian gaming license consultant.
How much does a Romanian gambling license cost in 2026?
Class 1 online (B2C): €3,500 file analysis and €10,500 issuance, then every year €300,000 license fee, €500,000 responsible-gambling contribution and an authorization fee of 30% of GGR with a €480,000 minimum — a fixed floor of €1,280,000 a year. Add a €2,000,000 (non-casino) or €5,000,000 (online casino) financial guarantee, so year 1 commits at least €3,294,000. Class 2 (B2B): €10,500 one-off, then €20,000 license fee plus €15,000 contribution — €45,500 in year 1 and €35,000 a year after that, not linked to revenue.
What is the gambling tax rate in Romania?
Since 1 August 2025 (Law 141/2025) the online authorization fee is 30% of gross gaming revenue, minimum €480,000 a year (previously 21% and €400,000). Because the minimum bites until GGR reaches €1,600,000, smaller operators pay an effective rate above 30%. Corporate income tax of 16% applies on top, plus a 5% contribution on the value of advertising contracts. Players' winnings are taxed separately by withholding at 4%, 20% and 40% bands.
Can a foreign company get a Romanian gambling license?
Yes, but not from abroad. Since OUG 82/2023 (art. 1(2) OUG 77/2009) a B2C operator must be a Romanian company (SRL or SA) or an EU/EEA/Swiss entity that registers a Romanian permanent establishment under art. 8 of the Fiscal Code. Shareholders may be 100% foreign. B2B suppliers are licensed under Class 2: a supplier established in the EU/EEA may hold the license in its own name, with no permanent establishment, provided it has an authorized representative in Romania; suppliers from outside the EU/EEA (UK, Gibraltar, Isle of Man, Curaçao and similar) hold it through a Romanian company — see the Class 2 guide.
What is the difference between ONJN Class 1 and Class 2?
Class 1 is the operator (B2C) license for anyone offering games to players — online casino, sports betting, poker, bingo, and land-based venues — and must be paired with an annual operating authorization. Class 2 is the supplier (B2B) license for game studios, platforms, aggregators, payment processors, hosting providers, test labs and affiliates. Class 1 carries a €1,280,000 annual floor; Class 2 costs €35,000 a year. Class 3 is the state lottery monopoly and is not open to private applicants.
How long does it take to get an ONJN license?
ONJN must decide within 30 days of a complete file (art. 1(4) OUG 77/2009); silence is not approval. In practice a clean Class 2 file takes 2–3 months end to end. Class 1 takes 6–9 months to go-live because laboratory certification, the Romanian mirror and safety servers and the guarantee instrument all run on their own clocks.
Is a Romanian gambling license valid across the EU?
No. There is no EU gambling passport; an ONJN license covers Romania only. What it does bring is supervision by an EU member-state regulator, which changes how acquirers, EMIs and tier-one platform partners assess you.
What is the minimum share capital for a Romanian gambling company?
It is set per activity in the Annex to OUG 77/2009 and is cumulative across activities. Remote (online) gambling requires RON 1,000,000, as do fixed-odds betting and casino games; slot-machine games require RON 30,000. Do not confuse share capital with the separate €2,000,000/€5,000,000 financial guarantee under art. 29.
Is Romania worth it compared with Malta or Curaçao?
For Class 1, only if Romania is itself a target market and your GGR can clear €1,600,000; validate the product offshore first. For suppliers, Romania Class 2 is often the most cost-efficient EU-regulated license available: fixed €35,000 a year, no GGR tax, no guarantee, 2–3 months.
Sources
Every statutory figure on this page was checked against the instrument that sets it on 8 October 2026. The consolidated text of OUG 77/2009 on the Romanian Legislative Portal is informative, not official, so each figure is also cited to the act that currently sets it. Statutory fees and thresholds change — confirm before you commit capital.
- OUG 77/2009 — consolidated, Romanian Legislative Portal
- Amendment chain for OUG 77/2009 — Chamber of Deputies
- OUG 82/2023 — Monitorul Oficial Part I no. 905/2023
- Law 107/2024 — Monitorul Oficial Part I no. 370/2024
- Law 141/2025 — Monitorul Oficial Part I no. 699/2025
- HG 111/2016 — methodological norms
- Law 129/2019 — AML/CFT
- ONJN Order 79/2025 — self-exclusion procedure
- ONJN — Class I licensees register
- ONJN — Class II licensees register
- ONJN — blacklist of unauthorized domains
- ONJN — license and authorization forms
Know your Romanian number before you commit €1,280,000 a year
We pre-screen the ownership chain, fix the cumulative share capital for your activity set, and model the authorization-fee break-even before anything is filed. Then we incorporate, build the dossier, coordinate the laboratory and mirror server, and hold the ONJN liaison.
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