In Romania, the heart of Transylvania, the rules of the game for the gambling business are about to be revised — and this time not just symbolically. The country’s new government, recently formed after the June elections, has already announced its intention to radically change tax policy. And although gambling is a sensitive topic, it has a very specific meaning for the budget: it is a source of billions of dollars in revenue.
Politicians change – taxes rise
After a political reset led by Prime Minister Ilie Bolozhan and President Nicuşor Dan, Romania has embarked on a course to “rehabilitate” its finances. Finance Minister Alexandru Nazare openly admits that the gambling sector has long been in need of an update. It’s not just about control and transparency — the tax rate is now also a tool for reducing the budget deficit and fulfilling obligations to the EU.
First in line are the players. Tax rates on winnings are being revised and made progressive. In short:
- a) winnings up to 10,000 lei will be taxed at 4%;
- b) amounts from 10,001 to 66,750 lei — 400 lei + 20% of the excess;
- c) over 66,750 lei — that’s 11,750 lei + 40% on everything above.
It’s worth noting that at first the tax authorities wanted to raise the rates even more, but under pressure from the industry and the public, the figures were softened. However, even so, for many players, the game may lose its appeal — not because of losses, but because of tax “interests.”
Raising the stakes: for business, it’s not about the game, but about survival!
The changes will affect not only players. The gambling companies themselves — from online operators to land-based bookmakers — must also prepare for the new conditions. Among the key innovations:
– for online casinos — 27% of GGR (by the way, previously — 21%);
– for classic bookmakers — 23% instead of 21%;
– the annual fee for a slot machine rises to €5,800;
– the “sin” tax on slot machines doubles — to €1,000;
But lottery revenues — 6.5% to the budget.
And this, by the way, is only the main thing. Add to this the costs of advertising, inspections, papers — and you get a rather harsh picture. Small operators may simply not be able to survive. But where someone leaves the market — others see an opportunity. And it always does.
At this stage, we recommend paying attention to companies that specialize in ready-made businesses in the gambling sector. For example, ELI Deal is an international platform. We offer ready-made objects from the Casino for sale or Bookmakers and Gambling for sale categories. If you are an entrepreneur, investor, or have simply dreamed of having your own casino for a long time, now is the time to explore this market while the rules of the game are still being formed, and therefore, it is not too late.
Legal doesn’t mean profitable?
As for what worries the industry the most, it’s the risk of going underground. Statistics show that about 14% of players in Romania are already using illegal platforms. The reasons? It’s simple: there are more bonuses, fewer taxes, and no one checks documents. But it’s also a lack of protection, legal guarantees, and responsibility. Rather, there are more dangers, irresponsibility, and uncertainty about the future, which undermines the credibility of such platforms.
Market participants are sounding the alarm: an overly strict tax policy can only worsen the situation. Instead of filling the budget, it can lead to a mass exodus of players to dark websites, where no one is responsible for anything. And it is here that the legal sector — with licenses, rules, and guarantees — should be supported, not crushed by the country’s government. Otherwise, it’s not the state that wins, but really bad business and injustice.
The idea of restarting the regulator: what will happen to it next?
A separate layer of discussion is the fate of the current regulator ONJN. The USR party, which is part of the coalition, proposes to completely dissolve it and create a new body. The reason is impressive figures: more than 900 million euros that did not reach the budget in 2019–2023 due to underpayment of license fees. This, to put it mildly, undermines trust in regulatory authorities. Among the new ideas is limiting gambling expenses to 10% of monthly income. The tax service should monitor this. But how realistic this is is still unclear. And most importantly, will such an initiative not lead to even greater distrust?
Time is only until August, the stakes are high and the future is unclear?
Currently, all changes are being discussed within the framework of the draft Law on Fiscal and Budgetary Measures. The public discussion will last until July 13. It is expected that the final version will be submitted for voting in early August. There is a chance that some provisions will be changed, but most will remain.
Vital information: this is the sixth (!) revision of tax conditions for the gambling industry since 2018. Such constant changes do not add stability, but create a window of opportunity for those who know how to adapt quickly.
ELI Deal, for example, not only offers to purchase a Casino for sale or Bookmakers and Gambling for sale, but also provides support: it helps to check licenses, assess risks and carry out legal registration of the transaction. This is convenient for those who want to enter the market without unnecessary hassle, but with a clear understanding of the prospects. And this offer is valid for both beginners and experienced “experts” in their field.
Summary
Romania is once again, or rather for the sixth time, rewriting the rules for gambling. And while the government says it’s about fairness and filling the budget, many in the industry see it differently — risks, loss of customers and new costs. At the same time, for those looking to enter the business or buy a ready-made business, this is a moment that may not happen again. Especially when experienced consultants like ELI Deal are at hand. Join us!
