What a Romania gaming licence for EU market access gives you
Romania joined the European Union on 1 January 2007 and, therefore, operates inside the EU Single Market. As a result, a licence from the ONJN authorises you to offer online gambling to players in Romania under EU-aligned consumer protection, data protection, and anti-money-laundering standards. In practical terms, that regulatory standing is the core of Romania gaming licence EU market access: you hold an EU-issued authorisation, not an offshore permit.
One point matters for every applicant. EU online gambling stays nationally regulated, so each member state issues its own licence and authorises operators directly. A Romania gaming licence covers the Romanian market and gives you an EU corporate and compliance footing. For B2B suppliers, it also opens a documented path to recognition in other EU jurisdictions, which we cover below. Knowing exactly what the licence does and does not cover saves you from costly assumptions later.
Why operators choose Romania for EU market access
Romania runs one of the more predictable licensing regimes in the region. The ONJN has regulated the online market since 2016, and the rules have matured steadily rather than changing direction. Operators value four things in particular:
- EU standing. You operate from within the EU, which strengthens banking applications, payment provider relationships, and partner trust.
- A large, engaged player base. Romania counts close to 19 million residents and high internet penetration, which supports real revenue at scale.
- A ten-year licence term. The licence runs for a decade, so you plan around stability instead of short renewal cycles.
- Flat, predictable B2B fees. Supplier fees do not move with gross gaming revenue, which makes budgeting straightforward.
These benefits explain why Romania features so often when operators compare EU entry points. If you are weighing several options, our guide to choosing the right gaming licence sets out how to match a jurisdiction to your business model.
Class I and Class II licences explained
The ONJN issues two licence types, and you need to identify the right one before you apply.
- Class I licence (B2C). This covers operators that offer gambling directly to players, including online casino, sports betting, and poker.
- Class II licence (B2B). This covers suppliers to licensed operators, including software producers, platform and hosting providers, live studios, affiliates, and payment processors.
Suppliers that build or distribute gaming technology often start with the Class II route, since it lets them sell into the Romanian market and other regulated markets at the same time. Software and platform providers comparing supply-side jurisdictions also look at the Isle of Man licence for software providers, which pairs well with an EU supplier licence for firms that serve operators across several markets.
Romania gaming licence EU market access: costs and taxes
Costs depend on whether you apply as an operator or a supplier. The figures below reflect the current ONJN framework for online B2B licences. Treat them as a planning baseline and confirm the exact tariff for your licence category before you file.
| Item | Amount (B2B / Class II) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Annual licence fee | EUR 20,000 | Uniform across the nine B2B licence categories; flat, not linked to revenue |
| Responsible gambling contribution | EUR 15,000 per year | Mandatory annual contribution; flat figure |
| Corporate tax | 16% on profit | Standard Romanian corporate income tax |
| Licence term | 10 years | Operating authorisation renews annually within the term |
Beyond the headline fees, budget for company setup or branch registration, AML and KYC policy work, software certification, and ongoing reporting. The full cost of entry sits in that combined figure, not in the annual fee alone. For a deeper breakdown of operator obligations, read our overview of Romania gaming licence requirements.
Eligibility and corporate requirements
The ONJN sets clear eligibility rules. A company incorporated in Romania, another EU member state, an EEA country, or Switzerland can hold a licence directly. A company based outside those areas must first establish a Romanian subsidiary or branch. You then meet the standard conditions:
- Provide corporate documents, including the certificate of registration, a good-standing certificate, and articles of association.
- Show clean criminal records for directors and shareholders, plus relevant good repute.
- Operate documented AML and KYC policies that meet Romanian and EU standards.
- Certify gaming software and systems through an accredited testing laboratory.
- Notify the ONJN of significant changes, within five working days for physical submission or 48 hours for online submission.
The licensing file itself stays comparatively light for B2B suppliers, since product-level approvals happen at the operator level. Our step-by-step walkthrough of the Romania gaming licence application process explains how each stage fits together.
The Malta recognition route for B2B suppliers
This is where Romania gaming licence EU market access becomes a real advantage for suppliers. In particular, Romania maintains a streamlined path toward a Recognition Notice from the Malta Gaming Authority. As a result, a supplier that already holds a recognised EU licence can supply Malta-licensed operators without repeating a full licensing process.
For a software or platform provider, that pairing matters. You hold one EU licence in Romania, then use the recognition route to serve operators in Malta and, by extension, the wider network of EU markets those operators address. The result is broader reach from a single licensing base. Operators planning a multi-market footprint should map this route early, since it shapes corporate structure and contracts.
The 2026 renewal cycle and what it means
2026 marks the first renewal cycle for the ten-year B2B licences first granted in 2016. This milestone closes the first decade of Romania’s regulated online market and gives both the regulator and the industry a clear read on how the system performs over a full term. If you hold an early licence, plan your renewal documentation well ahead of the deadline and confirm your reporting record stands in order.
Recent reforms also expanded the duties of B2B suppliers, who now apply technical measures to identify player location and report monthly on blocked access attempts. These obligations sit alongside the core licence and reflect Romania’s focus on market integrity. Our guide to the Romanian online gaming licence keeps pace with these updates.
How to use a Romania gaming licence for EU market access
Treat the licence as the centre of a wider European strategy, not the finish line. A practical sequence looks like this:
- Pick your licence class based on whether you serve players (Class I) or operators (Class II).
- Set up or confirm an eligible EU, EEA, or Swiss company, or register a Romanian entity.
- Prepare AML, KYC, and responsible gambling policies, then certify your systems.
- File with the ONJN and complete the due diligence and audit stages.
- For suppliers, layer the Malta recognition route on top to widen your reach.
Used this way, a Romania gaming licence for EU market access gives you an EU-regulated home base, a real domestic market, and a structured path to grow across the bloc. The DD Consultus advisory team handles company setup, banking, key functions, and the ONJN filing end to end. Call +356 99408536 or email contact@licencegaming.com to plan your route.
Authoritative references: you can verify licensed operators on the ONJN Class I licensee register, and confirm Romania’s EU status on the European Union’s official Romania country profile.
Frequently asked questions
Does a Romania gaming licence give access to the whole EU market?
A Romania gaming licence authorises you to operate in Romania’s ONJN-regulated market, a country inside the EU Single Market. EU online gambling stays nationally regulated, so each member state issues its own licence. Romania gives you an EU-regulated base and, for B2B suppliers, a recognised route toward serving operators in other EU jurisdictions.
Who regulates online gaming in Romania?
The National Gambling Office, known as ONJN (Oficiul National pentru Jocuri de Noroc), regulates all gambling activity in Romania. It issues Class I and Class II licences, runs due diligence, and maintains the public registers of licensed operators and suppliers.
How long is a Romania gaming licence valid?
The ONJN grants the licence for ten years. The separate operating authorisation renews annually within that term, and the regulator expects ongoing reporting and periodic audits throughout the period.
Can an EU company hold a Romania gaming licence without a local entity?
Yes. A company incorporated in Romania, another EU member state, an EEA country, or Switzerland can hold the licence directly. A company based outside those areas must first set up a Romanian subsidiary or branch.
What does a Romania B2B gaming licence cost each year?
The current ONJN framework applies a uniform annual licence fee of EUR 20,000 across the nine B2B categories, plus a mandatory responsible gambling contribution of EUR 15,000 per year. Both figures stay flat and do not move with gross gaming revenue. Confirm the exact tariff for your category before you file.
Can a Romania gaming licence support a Malta Recognition Notice?
Yes. Romania maintains a streamlined path toward a Recognition Notice from the Malta Gaming Authority. A B2B supplier that holds a recognised EU licence can use this route to supply Malta licensed operators without repeating a full licensing process.
What taxes apply to a Romania gaming licence holder?
Romania applies a 16% corporate tax on profit. Gaming-specific levies and the annual responsible gambling contribution apply on top, depending on your licence class. A tax adviser should confirm your total position before you commit.
Why does 2026 matter for Romania gaming licences?
2026 brings the first renewal cycle for the ten-year B2B licences granted in 2016. Early licence holders should prepare renewal documentation ahead of the deadline and confirm their reporting record stands complete.