Romania's iGaming Landscape in 2026: Market Opportunity, Regulation, and Why Operators Are Taking Notice

Romania has quietly become one of Central and Eastern Europe's most significant iGaming markets.

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Regulated since 2015, with a channelisation rate exceeding 90% and a market projected to grow well beyond €1 billion in annual revenue, it is a jurisdiction that serious operators can no longer afford to overlook.

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In 2026, Romania's regulatory environment is undergoing its most significant transformation in years - tighter enforcement, new consumer protection measures, and sweeping legislative reform. For operators who understand the landscape and are prepared to meet its standards, the opportunity is substantial.

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The Romanian iGaming Market

• Regulator: National Office for Gambling (ONJN)

• Regulated since: 2015

• GGR (2024): approximately €600 million

• Projected market volume: US$1.06 billion by 2029

• Channelisation rate: over 90%

• Population: approximately 19 million

• Internet penetration: over 88%

• EU member state: Yes - since 2007

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Why Romania?

A Rapidly Growing Market

Romania's online gambling market has almost doubled over the past three years. GGR reached approximately €600 million in 2024 and is projected to grow at a compound annual rate of 4.61% through to 2029, reaching over US$1 billion in market volume. Some projections place the broader Romanian gambling market at €1.1 billion in net revenue, growing at 13% CAGR from 2023 to 2026.

Mobile is driving the majority of that growth. The vast majority of licensed operators report that around three-quarters of their total network traffic originates from mobile devices - a figure that is only increasing as smartphone penetration deepens.

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One of Europe's Highest Channelisation Rates

Romania's channelisation rate exceeds 90% - one of the highest in Europe. This reflects both strong enforcement against illegal operators and genuine player trust in the licensed market.

For operators, a high channelisation rate means the market is genuinely contestable. Players are already playing on regulated platforms; the opportunity is to compete for that existing demand with a quality product rather than having to convert players away from the grey market.

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EU Membership and Market Access

Romania is a full EU member state. A Romanian licence provides operators with a credible, EU-regulated foundation and the legal right to serve Romanian players directly. It does not provide EU passporting rights, but it provides a recognised regulatory standing that payment processors, banking partners, and affiliate networks respect.

For operators building a Central and Eastern European strategy, Romania is a natural starting point. Its regulatory framework is established, its market is growing, and its consumer base is digitally engaged.

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The Regulatory Framework

The Primary Legislation

Romanian gambling regulation is governed primarily by Government Emergency Ordinance No. 77/2009, the foundational legislation establishing the framework for the organisation and operation of games of chance; Government Decision No. 111/2016, the Methodological Norms for its implementation; and Law 141 (2025), which significantly tightened the regulatory framework and expanded ONJN's enforcement powers.

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The Regulator: ONJN

The National Office for Gambling (ONJN) is Romania's primary gambling regulator. In 2025, following sustained criticism and audit failures that reportedly left close to €1 billion in uncollected taxes and fees, ONJN underwent a change of leadership. New president Vlad-Cristian Soare took office in May 2025 and has since made enforcement and modernisation the central priorities of his tenure.

In 2026, ONJN is operating with significantly expanded powers and a stated commitment to stronger compliance standards. Operators entering the Romanian market in 2026 are entering a more demanding regulatory environment than existed even two years ago - which is precisely what makes the licence more valuable to those who hold it.

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What Has Changed in 2026

Record Enforcement Activity

ONJN's first-year report (April 2025 to April 2026) reflects a decisive shift in regulatory posture:

• Over 11,000 inspections conducted

• More than 300 websites blacklisted

• 60 licences cancelled

• €2.7 million in fines issued

• 70 criminal complaints filed related to unpaid taxes and GGR manipulation

• 98% takedown rate for illegal gambling content across Meta, Google and TikTok

For licensed operators who meet their compliance obligations, this enforcement environment is a competitive advantage - it actively narrows the grey market and concentrates player demand on regulated platforms.

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New Consumer Protection Measures

Several significant consumer protection initiatives are underway or have recently taken effect.

A unified National Self-Exclusion Scheme covering both retail and online gambling was scheduled for Q1 2026 rollout, providing a single database operators must check and update. ONJN has also introduced a geolocation-based QR system integrated into its central register, allowing verification of gaming machine locations and ownership. A public WhatsApp reporting channel enables citizens to report suspected illegal machines.

Financial spending caps restrict players from spending more than 10% of their previous month's income, increasingly monitored via bank transaction triggers. From January 2025, online casino operators must provide a financial guarantee of €5 million and online betting operators €2 million.

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Advertising and Age Reform

Romania's Senate approved two significant bills in early 2026. The minimum gambling age is proposed to rise to 21. Celebrity, athlete and influencer endorsements in gambling promotions would be banned. The Chamber of Deputies is expected to finalise broader reforms in the first half of 2026. Operators should prepare for a tightening advertising environment and plan their marketing strategies accordingly.

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Dividend Tax Increase

From January 2026, the dividend tax rate increased from 10% to 16%. This affects the post-tax return on Romanian operations and should be factored into financial planning for operators entering the market.

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Licence Types

Romania operates three primary licence categories.

Class 1 (B2C) - For operators directly offering online gambling services to Romanian players, including online casinos, sports betting, and mixed-service platforms. Only companies incorporated in Romania, the EU, EEA, or Switzerland may apply.

Class 2 (B2B) - For software providers, platform developers, and technology suppliers servicing licensed operators. B2B licences can be obtained by companies based outside the EU. All gaming software used by Class 1 operators must be certified by a Class 2-licensed provider.

Class 3 - Reserved for the National Romanian Lottery, which retains a legal monopoly over all types of lotteries. Not available to private operators.

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Costs and Fees

Licensing fees

• Licence issuance fee: EUR 10,500

• Annual online gambling licence tax: EUR 300,000

• Class 2 (B2B) annual licence tax: EUR 20,000

• Application analysis fee (online): EUR 100,000

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Ongoing taxes

• GGR tax (online): 16% (minimum EUR 100,000 per year)

• Monthly participation tax: 2% of total monthly participation costs

• Winnings over EUR 15,000: 1% tax on the player

• Corporate (profit) tax: 16%

• Dividend tax (from January 2026): 16%

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Romania's tax structure is more demanding than many offshore jurisdictions but competitive within the EU regulated market context. The 16% GGR tax sits below Malta MGA's effective rates for larger operators and significantly below the UK's tiered GGR tax which reaches 21%.

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Application Requirements

To obtain a Class 1 licence, operators must meet the following requirements.

Corporate structure: A legal entity incorporated in Romania, the EU, EEA, or Switzerland, with audited financial statements and proof of capital demonstrating financial stability.

Financial guarantees: EUR 5 million for online casino operators; EUR 2 million for online betting operators.

AML and KYC compliance: Full adherence to Romanian AML and KYC legislation, including documented policies, procedures, and systems.

Technical and software certification: All gaming software must be audited and certified by an ONJN-approved Class 2 provider. IT systems must meet specific standards for fairness, security, and data integrity.

Responsible gambling tools: Deposit limits, self-exclusion integration with the national system, and spending cap monitoring.

Documentation: Company registration documents, audited financials, AML and KYC policies, technical certification, and a clean criminal record for all directors and legal representatives.

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Why Licensed Operators Win in Romania

A Protected Market

Romania's 90%+ channelisation rate and aggressive enforcement against unlicensed operators means the market is effectively protected for licensed entrants. The 11,000+ inspections and 300+ website blacklistings in ONJN's first operational year demonstrate that this is not a regulator that tolerates grey market activity.

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‍Credibility with Payment Partners

A Romanian iGaming licence carries genuine EU regulatory credibility. Licensed operators are included in ONJN's public register, updated every 24 hours. This transparency supports relationships with payment processors, banking partners, and affiliate networks who require regulatory verification before working with operators.

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A Digitally Engaged Consumer Base

Romania has an internet penetration rate exceeding 88% and over 27 million mobile connections — more than the total population, reflecting multiple-device usage. The Romanian consumer is digitally literate, mobile-first, and already engaged with regulated iGaming platforms.

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Growing Competitive Landscape Attracting Major Operators

Romania's market profile has attracted serious international attention. Major operators including Evoke have made strategic acquisitions in Romania, recognising it as one of CEE's most significant growth markets. The presence of established operators validates the market opportunity and signals that Romania is moving from an emerging to a mature regulated market.

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The Honest Assessment

Romania is not the easiest jurisdiction to operate in. The annual online licence tax of EUR 300,000, combined with a 16% GGR tax and increasing compliance requirements, makes it a market for operators who are serious about building a regulated, long-term business in Central and Eastern Europe, not a low-cost entry point.

The 2026 regulatory environment is more demanding than it has ever been. Enforcement is stricter, consumer protections are tightening, and advertising rules are about to become more restrictive. Operators who enter the market without a robust compliance infrastructure will find it difficult.

But for operators who meet the bar, Romania offers something increasingly rare in European iGaming: a large, growing, highly channelised market with a regulatory framework that actively works to keep the playing field level. At a market projected to reach over €1 billion in online gambling revenue, the commercial case for serious operators is compelling.

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About Gaming Gateway

Gaming Gateway is a global iGaming licensing partner with expertise across regulated EU markets and offshore jurisdictions. Our team supports operators through every stage of the Romanian licensing process — from corporate structuring and documentation preparation through to ONJN application, technical certification, and ongoing compliance management.

Whether you are evaluating Romania as part of a broader EU market strategy or preparing to apply for a licence, Gaming Gateway's experienced team can help you get licensed and stay compliant.

Contact our team to book a free consultation.

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