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
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
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
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
Romania’s gambling market generated almost €1 billion in tax revenue in 2025 and is projected to remain one of Eastern Europe’s largest markets. However, the country has entered a new regulatory phase in 2026, triggered by Government Emergency Ordinance 7/2026 (GEO 7/2026). This ordinance amends the primary gambling law (GEO 77/2009) and—along with ONJN reforms—fundamentally alters compliance for land‑based and online operators. It introduces a local authorization layer, enhances … Continue
Romania doesn’t treat affiliates like “just marketing.” It treats them like a regulated link in the gambling supply chain. ONJN’s Class II licence for affiliates comes with a hard reality: €20,000/year licence tax plus €15,000/year responsible gambling contribution—and the clock starts ticking fast after approval. If you prepare the dossier correctly and pre-plan the payments, you can lock in 10 years of licence validity and … Continue
Romania’s gambling sector is approaching a critical turning point. After years of regulatory inconsistency and public criticism, the country’s gambling authority is moving decisively to regain control. The ONJN’s 2026 agenda is not cosmetic reform. Instead, it signals a structural reset of enforcement, compliance, and financial oversight. For operators, 2026 will reward preparedness and punish complacency. Key Points We can help you obtain your Gambling … Continue
Operators in Romania are facing a sharp rise in regulatory enforcement. ONJN has begun issuing maximum fines—up to 100,000 RON—for allowing self-excluded individuals access to gambling. This isn’t just a local compliance issue. It’s about reputation, licensing integrity, and operational risk across all verticals. Operators must align internal procedures, staff training, and database checks with ONJN’s exclusion protocols—immediately. Key Takeaways for Operators: We can help … Continue
Romania Targets Meta and Google Over Illegal Gambling Ads – A Wake-Up Call for the Digital Gambling Ecosystem Romania’s National Office for Gambling (ONJN) has issued formal demands to Meta and Google, ordering the removal of sponsored advertisements that promote blacklisted gambling operators. The move marks a significant escalation in the country’s effort to combat unlicensed online gambling—and sends a strong message to global tech … Continue
Romania’s beleaguered gambling regulator ONJN is undergoing radical reform under new leadership. After losing nearly €1 billion in tax revenue, ONJN chief Vlad‑Cristian Soare launched immediate measures. Operators will now face tougher checks, mandatory digital self‑exclusion, funded addiction centers, and smarter controls. Read on to learn how ONJN is rebuilding trust and restoring fiscal and consumer safeguards. Romania’s ONJN Reforms: Black Market Crackdown, Digital Self‑Exclusion & … Continue
