In Romania, a member state of NATO and the EU, gambling has long ceased to be a dark zone – the state has taken a course towards clear regulation of this sphere. Particularly active changes have taken place in recent years: legislation has been updated, taxes have been increased, new requirements for licensing, control of winnings and advertising have been introduced. All this has been done with one goal – to restore order and create a transparent, civilized market. To correct the situation in this way. And although the new rules have become a challenge for many operators, at the same time they have opened up new opportunities for investors. That is why companies like ELI Deal, which specializes in the international sale of ready-made businesses, today actively offer options in the categories Casino for sale and Bookmakers and Gambling for sale – for those who want to enter the market competently and without unnecessary bureaucracy.
New rules for players in the market: who can work legally? What are the main conditions?
Romanian regulators have set clear requirements for those who want to work in the gambling industry. From now on, in order to obtain a license, a company must have a physical presence in the country: either in the form of a local legal entity or as an official representative office. These changes affected even those operators who were already working in the market – they were given six months to bring their activities into compliance. Missed this deadline? Goodbye license.
For many companies, this became a challenge. Not everyone is ready to invest in opening an office, keeping accounting according to local standards, adapting to the local tax climate. Therefore, some of them decided to exit the market, while others decided to sell their business. Investors, on the contrary, saw this as a window of opportunity.
Taxes, deposits, and control: how the state builds a clean game
One of the most significant blows to the gambling business in Romania is the new tax policy. Online operators will now have to pay 23-27% of gross gaming revenue, and land-based casinos – about 23%. These are no longer symbolic payments but serious deductions that affect business models.
In addition, companies are required to make significant financial guarantees: up to 5 million euros for online players and up to 3 million euros for traditional ones. This is not just a deposit on paper – the amount must be actually available in the form of a bank guarantee or another form confirmed by the regulator.
Special attention is paid to winnings. Now, taxes on winnings are calculated on a progressive scale, where rates can reach 40%. The most interesting thing is the new idea to limit participation in gambling according to income. If you have an official income of, say, 5000 lei, you will be able to spend no more than 500 lei on a game. And this will be checked not by the casino, but by your bank. If you spend more than that, the bank will have to report the violation and will risk a fine. Not very profitable, right?
Advertisement control
Romanian lawmakers also decided to limit the visibility of gambling in public space. For example, it is forbidden to place banners larger than 35 square meters, which means that the bright facades and billboards that dominated the streets will actually disappear. All advertising now has to be restrained, clearly identified, and indicate the operator’s license. They are really serious about this!
Mail, SMS, and spam are also prohibited unless the player has given explicit consent. Additionally, operators are obliged to keep all advertising materials for at least five years – in case of an inspection by ONJN, they can prove that they acted legally.
Is there any point in entering the Romanian market today?
A logical question arises: is it actually worth considering the Romanian gambling market as a promising area? The answer is yes, if you are ready to play by new, strict, but transparent rules. You just need to realize one thing: the state is not trying to stifle business – it wants to make it controlled and stable. For an investor, this is actually a plus. Yet, you should understand that it is difficult and time-consuming to create everything from scratch today. That is why the purchase of already licensed players is growing in popularity. We, ELI Deal, work with international clients and offer a number of options with ready-made legal registration, payment history, and a positive reputation in ONJN. This allows you to avoid all initial barriers and focus on development. Thus, you choose an easier and more affordable way for yourself.
Summary
Romania no longer perceives gambling as a chaotic industry – it is now an area with clear rules, accountability and transparent terms of play. And although the new requirements may seem strict, they create a healthy environment for those who want to work legally, without risks and with a long-term perspective.
If you see this market as an opportunity, now is a good time to enter the game not as an observer, but as a business owner with a ready-made structure. Acquiring a licensed gambling business is a way to bypass the complex bureaucratic stages and immediately get a working asset. ELI Deal offers just such options – with proper regulation, a proven history and a ready-made legal basis. Everything is already in place here – all that remains is to press the “start” button and develop the business in a promising direction.
