The Romania gaming licence renewal process starts earlier than most licensed operators plan for. ONJN issues Class I Remote Gambling Licences for a 5-year term. Once that term approaches its end, you must submit a renewal application before the expiry date. Starting late is the most common operational mistake in this market. If your licence lapses during a delayed review, you must halt all regulated activity in Romania until ONJN issues the renewed authorisation.
This guide covers when to start, what documents ONJN requires, what the regulator examines at renewal, and where operators typically encounter problems. For the initial conditions that apply throughout the licence period, see our guide to the Romania gaming licence requirements 2026.
Financial documents
- Audited financial statements covering the full licence period or the last 2 to 3 financial years
- Current bank statement confirming the ring-fenced share capital remains intact in the dedicated Romanian account
- Tax clearance certificate from ANAF confirming no outstanding Romanian tax liabilities
Technical documents
- Confirmation of current platform certification status from the testing laboratory
- Updated technical documentation if the platform, RNG, or game portfolio has changed materially since initial certification
- Server location certificates confirming continued EEA data residency for Romanian player data
- Updated cybersecurity and information security policy where changes have occurred during the licence period
Compliance documents
- Updated AML policy and risk assessment; in addition, ONJN expects annual updates throughout the licence period and reviews this track record at renewal.
- Evidence of ongoing AML training for the AML Reporting Officer
- Summary of suspicious transaction reports filed with ONPCSB during the licence period
- Responsible gambling policy and proof of continued national self-exclusion registry integration
- Records of player protection measures applied throughout the licence period
What ONJN reviews during Romania gaming licence renewal
The Romania gaming licence renewal review goes beyond a document check. ONJN uses the renewal stage to assess how your operation performed during the licence term. Consequently, operators with regulatory warnings, AML reporting gaps, or undisclosed platform changes during the licence period face closer examination.
Suitability and integrity during renewal
ONJN re-examines the suitability of all directors and UBOs. Any ownership change since the initial authorisation triggers a full suitability assessment of the incoming individual. A criminal conviction, regulatory sanction in another jurisdiction, or insolvency event during the licence term are grounds for renewal refusal.
AML compliance record for Romania gaming licence renewal
ONJN reviews your AML track record across the full 5-year period. The regulator checks whether your AML Reporting Officer filed suspicious transaction reports with ONPCSB as required, whether transaction monitoring remained operational, and whether your AML risk assessment received annual updates. Operators with a clean, documented AML record move through this stage faster.
Financial health and capital maintenance
ONJN confirms that your ring-fenced share capital remained intact throughout the licence period. The regulator also reviews your audited financials for evidence of ongoing solvency. A company that is balance-sheet insolvent at renewal cannot receive a renewed authorisation.
Platform and game portfolio
ONJN checks whether your current platform and game portfolio matches the certified version from your initial authorisation. If you added games, integrated new providers, or changed platform infrastructure without notifying ONJN or obtaining updated technical certification, those changes emerge during the renewal review. ONJN will not issue a renewed authorisation until uncertified material changes are resolved.
Technical recertification at renewal
If your platform has changed materially since initial certification, ONJN requires fresh technical certification from an accredited testing laboratory before it processes the renewal. Even targeted changes, such as updating core RNG software or replacing a game provider, may trigger the recertification requirement.
Where your platform has not changed materially, existing certification remains valid for the renewed licence period, subject to ONJN confirmation. In addition, any new game verticals added after the initial authorisation require their own technical review. For example, if you launched with online casino only and added sports betting during the licence term, the sports betting vertical requires separate ONJN-approved certification before the renewal completes.
Coordinate technical certification with ONJN-accredited laboratories as early as possible in your renewal preparation. Testing laboratories, including BMM Testlabs and GLI, typically need 8 to 12 weeks for certification plus additional time for any remediation. For support with this aspect of the renewal, see our platform consultancy and RNG testing service.
Romania gaming licence renewal costs
The ONJN fee schedule applies at Romania gaming licence renewal on the same legal basis as the initial authorisation. Because fees follow the RON denomination and update periodically, verify current figures with ONJN before submission. The table below sets out the main cost components.
| Cost component | Notes |
|---|---|
| ONJN renewal authorisation fee | Payable at submission; confirm current amount directly with ONJN |
| Annual GGR tax | Continues to apply throughout the renewed period; administered by ANAF |
| Technical recertification (if required) | Applies only where the platform has changed materially; lab fees typically EUR 10,000 to EUR 30,000 depending on scope |
| Legal and advisory costs | Document preparation, translation, and ONJN liaison |
| Criminal background checks and apostilles | EUR 300 to EUR 1,000 per individual depending on the jurisdiction |
| ANAF tax clearance certificate | No direct fee; administrative time cost only |
The renewal fee structure derives from the same legislative framework as the initial authorisation. For reference, the current legislation governing ONJN licence conditions is published on the ONJN legislation page. For the full initial licence cost breakdown, including the share capital requirement, see our article on Romania gaming licence cost 2026.
Issues that delay or block renewal
Most delays at the Romania gaming licence renewal stage fall into recurring patterns. Knowing them in advance lets you address each issue before it becomes a timeline problem.
Incomplete or expired documentation. Criminal background certificates carry a short validity, typically 3 to 6 months from the date of issue. If you gather documentation early and then wait, some certificates may expire before ONJN begins its substantive review. Sequence your document gathering to finish as close to the submission date as your preparation timeline allows.
Outstanding tax liabilities. ANAF will not issue a tax clearance certificate if you carry unresolved Romanian GGR tax liabilities. Operators who paid GGR tax incorrectly or filed declarations late must resolve those liabilities before the renewal application proceeds. Address any ANAF position at the start of your renewal preparation.
Undisclosed platform changes. If you made material changes to your platform during the licence period without notifying ONJN or obtaining updated technical certification, ONJN identifies this during the renewal review. Remediating uncertified changes at the renewal stage adds 3 to 6 months to your timeline.
Compliance issues during Romania gaming licence renewal
AML reporting deficiencies. Failure to file suspicious transaction reports during the licence period, or failure to update the AML risk assessment annually, is a compliance deficiency at renewal. In serious cases, ONJN treats this as grounds for refusal rather than a correctable issue.
Ownership changes not notified to ONJN. If shareholders or UBOs changed during the licence term and you did not notify ONJN in advance as required, the renewal review surfaces this as a material compliance breach. Disclose all ownership changes and follow ONJN’s mid-licence notification procedures before starting your renewal application.
For a pre-renewal compliance audit and end-to-end document preparation support, contact the DD Consultus advisory team through our gaming licensing compliance service. For the full Romanian jurisdiction profile, see the Romania online gaming licence page.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Romania gaming licence renewal take?
A complete, compliant renewal application typically takes 1 to 3 months for ONJN to process. Incomplete submissions or compliance deficiencies extend this considerably. Submit at least 3 to 4 months before expiry to avoid an operational gap in the Romanian market.
What is the licence term for an ONJN Class I Remote Gambling Licence?
ONJN issues Class I Remote Gambling Licences for a 5-year term. ONJN does not renew licences automatically. You must submit a formal renewal application with a full documentation package before the term expires.
Does the share capital requirement change at renewal?
The minimum paid-up share capital for a Class I operator is the RON equivalent of approximately EUR 1,000,000. In addition, this capital must remain ring-fenced in a dedicated Romanian bank account throughout the licence period. At renewal, ONJN verifies capital maintenance and, therefore, any shortfall should be resolved before submission. If exchange rate movements reduce the RON value below the current threshold, you must top up the amount before submitting.
What happens if my licence expires before renewal is complete?
If your licence lapses, you must halt all regulated activities in Romania immediately. You cannot accept new players or process deposits until ONJN issues the renewed authorisation. Starting the renewal process too late is the most direct route to an operational gap in the Romanian market.
Do I need fresh criminal background certificates for renewal?
Yes. ONJN requires current criminal background certificates for all directors and UBOs as part of the renewal package. In addition, certificates issued outside Romania usually require apostille, so operators should start this step early. Certificates issued outside Romania require apostille. Because obtaining them takes 4 to 8 weeks per jurisdiction, start this process at the beginning of your renewal preparation.
Can ONJN refuse a Romania gaming licence renewal?
Yes. ONJN can refuse renewal on grounds including criminal convictions for directors or UBOs, financial insolvency, persistent AML compliance failures, undisclosed platform changes, and outstanding Romanian tax liabilities. A refused renewal means you must cease Romanian market operations immediately. In addition, you may face fines or referral to Romanian fiscal authorities, depending on the nature of the compliance breach.
Do new game verticals added after the initial authorisation require separate certification at renewal?
Yes, in most cases. Adding a new vertical, such as sports betting to an initial casino-only authorisation, requires a formal extension application to ONJN. The new vertical must carry its own ONJN-approved technical certification before you can offer it to Romanian players. Renewal of the existing authorisation does not cover uncertified new verticals.
Does Romanian gambling legislation change between the initial authorisation and renewal?
The framework governing Class I licences is GEO 77/2009 as amended. However, ONJN may introduce updated conditions between your initial authorisation and your renewal date. Therefore, operators should review the current rules before preparing the renewal file. Review the current version of the governing legislation on the ONJN legislation page and verify current requirements with ONJN directly before finalising your renewal submission.