EU-Regulated National
Romania licence.
ONJN
Operators with mature CEE play and political-risk tolerance.
This framework is materially unsettled right now. Read the honest read below before committing a timeline to it.
What the regulator asks for
Year one cost
€500k+ Year 1
Annual licence fee minimum €480,000. €500k responsible-gambling contribution required. Local entity required. License application €40k-€100k depending on class.
Timeline
6-12 months
ONJN governance under sustained criticism through 2025-26. Operational continuity uncertain after government collapse 5 May 2026.
Gaming tax
30% GGR from 1 August 2025 (raised from 21% under Law 141/2025). Plus minimum €480,000 annual fee and €500k RG contribution.
Marketing climate
Tightening. Populist amendment proposals (USR dismantling proposal, age-21 proposal) still active.
The market
Romania has been one of the most unstable regulatory environments in Central and Eastern Europe. The government collapsed on 5 May 2026 while a full rewrite of the Games of Chance Law was in progress. The shape of the regulator (ONJN) now depends on which coalition forms. Treat any 2026 commentary on Romania with care.
How the application runs
ONJN application, local entity, software certification.
Ongoing compliance
National self-exclusion. AML under Romanian framework. Real-time ONJN data feed.
What you can and cannot say
Restrictions tightening; sponsorship and broadcast under review.
The honest read
What it means for your plan
In active flux. The 30% tax rate is law, but enforcement and the future of the regulator itself depend on the coalition talks after the 5 May 2026 collapse. Existing licensees keep operating; new entry right now is a political bet, not a market entry.
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Weighing up Romania?
One sentence is enough. I read these myself and reply with three actions you can take.