Class I – Operator Licences (B2C)

Required to offer gambling directly to players in Romania.

1) Online Casino Licence

• Primarily, RNG casino games, including slots and table games

• In addition, live casino offerings

• Accordingly, operators must host certified games and systems

• As a result, Romanian player protection and regulatory reporting requirements apply

2) Sports Betting Licence

• Fixed-odds sports betting

• Furthermore, live and in-play betting

• Virtual sports (where approved)

3) Poker & Peer-to-Peer Games

• Specifically, online poker rooms

• As well as peer-to-peer card games

• However, liquidity rules apply and are often ring-fenced

4) Bingo & Lottery-Type Games

• Online bingo

• In addition, draw-based or instant lottery-style games

5) Other Online Games

• Virtual games

• Games explicitly approved by ONJN

• Consequently, these games are subject to separate technical clearance

🔒 Important:
Class I licences allow operations only for Romanian-located players.

Class II – Supplier & Support Licences (B2B)

By contrast, these licences are required for companies that support already licensed operators.

Common Class II categories include:

• Game developers & studios

• Platform & PAM providers

• Hosting and data-centre providers

• Payment processors & PSPs

• RNG and game certification labs

• Affiliate & marketing service providers (in certain cases)

Any service that directly impacts game integrity, player funds, or compliance usually requires Class II approval.

Key Structural Rules

• ❌ Accordingly, foreign licences such as Maltese or Curaçao licences are not valid

• ✔️ Therefore, a separate Romanian licence is mandatory

• ✔️ Each licensed activity must be explicitly authorised

• ✔️ Finally, operators and suppliers are licensed independently

Licensing Requirements

Company & Legal Setup for a Romanian Online Gaming Licence

• As a starting point, an EU/EEA or eligible non-EU company is required, although non-EU entities must meet additional conditions.

• Registered company in good standing

• Moreover, the company must maintain a transparent ownership structure with fully disclosed UBOs.

• Accordingly, bearer shares are prohibited, and full corporate traceability is required.

• In practice, many operators therefore use a dedicated Romanian-facing entity or local branch.

Class of Licence

• Class I (B2C) – Operators offering games to Romanian players

• Class II (B2B) – Suppliers (software, hosting, PSPs, affiliates, etc.)

Each activity must be explicitly authorised by ONJN.

Fit & Proper (Shareholders & Management)

Specifically, the fit and proper assessment applies to:

• Shareholders / UBOs

• Directors

• Key persons (CEO, Compliance Officer, MLRO, IT Responsible)

For this purpose, the following documents are required:

• Clean criminal records

• CVs proving gambling / regulated-industry experience

• Furthermore, documented source of funds and source of wealth evidence is required.

• Integrity and reputation assessment

Technical & IT Requirements

• ONJN-approved gaming platform

• Certified RNGs and game software

• Servers and systems accessible for real-time monitoring

• Secure hosting and data protection (GDPR-compliant)

• Separate player wallets and transaction traceability

• ONJN performs technical audits and system checks before approval.

AML, KYC & Responsible Gaming Rules for a Romanian Online Gaming Licence

Mandatory Romanian-compliant policies:

• AML/CTF policy aligned with EU directives & Romanian law

• Player KYC and identity verification

• Transaction monitoring and suspicious activity reporting

• Responsible gaming tools (limits, exclusions, controls)

Financial & Tax Requirements of a Romanian Online Gaming Licence

• Payment of licence and authorisation fees

• Gaming tax on GGR

• Player winnings taxed under Romanian rules

• Proof of financial sustainability

• Bank accounts acceptable to Romanian regulators

• Romania is not a low-cost jurisdiction.

Local Reporting Obligations for a Romanian Online Gaming Licence

• Daily / monthly reporting to ONJN

• Access granted to ONJN monitoring systems

• Annual audits and compliance reviews

• Immediate notification of corporate or system changes

Advertising Rules Under the Romanian Online Gaming Licence

• Marketing allowed only within Romania

• Strict advertising and responsible messaging rules

• Affiliates may require Class II authorisation

• Breaches lead to fines or licence suspension

Ongoing Obligations

• Maintain licensed systems and approved games

• Renew authorisations annually

• Continuous AML, RG, and technical compliance

• ONJN inspections and enforcement actions possible at any time

Typical Timeline to Obtain a Romanian Online Gaming Licence

4–6 months, depending on:

• Completeness of documentation

• Technical readiness

• Speed of responses during audits

Summary Checklist

✔ Romanian-approved company structure
✔ Class I or Class II licence
✔ Clean UBOs & key persons
✔ Certified technical systems
✔ AML/KYC & RG frameworks
✔ Romanian taxes & reporting readiness

Company Requirements

Company Requirements for a Romanian Gaming Licence (ONJN)

To hold a Romanian gaming licence, the applicant company must comply with strict corporate, ownership, substance, and compliance rules set by the National Gambling Office (ONJN). These requirements apply to both Class I (operators/B2C) and Class II (suppliers/B2B), with proportionality based on activity and risk.

1) Legal Incorporation & Status

• EU/EEA or eligible non-EU company (non-EU entities face additional scrutiny)

• Company in good standing with valid constitutional documents

• Transparent structure; no bearer shares or opaque arrangements

2) Ownership & UBO Disclosure for a Romanian Online Gaming Licence

• Full disclosure of shareholders and UBOs (typically from ≥10%)

• Clear control and voting rights mapping

• Documented source of funds and source of wealth for UBOs

• Corporate shareholders must be traceable to natural persons

3) Management & Key Persons

Mandatory appointments (as applicable):

• Director(s)/Legal Representative

• Compliance Officer

• MLRO (AML Responsible)

• IT/Technical Responsible (for operators and relevant suppliers)

All key persons must:

• Demonstrate relevant experience

• Provide clean criminal records

• Pass ONJN fit & proper checks

4) Substance & Operational Control

• Real operational substance appropriate to the licensed activity

• Capacity to manage Romanian-facing operations and compliance

• Outsourcing permitted, but accountability remains with the licensee

• Systems must allow regulatory access/monitoring by ONJN

5) Financial Standing

• Proof of financial sustainability and liquidity

• Ability to meet licence fees, taxes, and operating costs

• Acceptable banking arrangements

• Player funds segregation (Class I operators)

6) Compliance Framework

Romanian-law-aligned internal policies:

• AML/CTF and KYC/CDD

• Responsible Gaming controls (limits, exclusions)

• GDPR/Data Protection

• Record-keeping and internal controls

7) Technical & Systems Readiness

• ONJN-approved platforms and game suppliers

• Certified RNGs (where applicable)

• Secure hosting, data integrity, and transaction traceability

• Reporting capabilities meeting ONJN specifications

8) Outsourcing & Third Parties

• Written contracts with PSPs, hosting, studios, affiliates

• Certain services require Class II authorisation

• Notification/approval to ONJN for critical outsourcing

9) Ongoing Corporate Obligations

• Continuous compliance and regulatory reporting

• Annual audits and renewals

• Prior approval for changes to ownership, directors, key persons, or systems

• ONJN inspections and enforcement readiness

Benefits

A licence issued by the National Gambling Office (ONJN) provides legal, exclusive access to Romania’s regulated iGaming market. It’s a local-market licence designed for operators and suppliers targeting Romanian players.

1) Full Legal Access to Romanian Players

• Operate lawfully in a ring-fenced EU market

• Accept Romanian residents without risk of blacklisting

• Use local payment methods and PSPs

2) Market Exclusivity & Protection

• Only ONJN-licensed operators may target Romania

• Unlicensed competitors are blocked (ISP & payment blocking)

• Creates a more controlled, compliant competitive environment

3) Strong Player Trust

• Romanian players recognise ONJN-licensed brands as legitimate

• Higher conversion, lower disputes, better retention

• Mandatory responsible gaming builds long-term credibility

4) Advertising & Local Presence

• Ability to advertise legally within Romania (strict rules apply)

• Access to Romanian affiliates, media, and sponsorships

• Compliance-backed marketing reduces enforcement risk

5) EU-Aligned Regulatory Framework

• AML/KYC and RG standards aligned with EU law

• Clear, enforceable rules and predictable supervision

• Suitable for operators seeking regulatory certainty

6) Banking & Payment Advantages of a Romanian Online Gaming Licence

• Easier onboarding with Romanian banks and PSPs

• Reduced payment friction and higher approval rates

• Stable processing for cards, transfers, and approved alternatives

7) Strategic Layer in a Multi-Licence Setup

• Works well alongside Malta (MGA) or other core licences

• Use ONJN for Romania; use MGA for international markets

• Clear geo-segmentation lowers regulatory risk

8) Commercially Significant EU Market

• Large, digitally active player base

• Strong demand for sports betting and online casino

• Attractive for operators with EU growth strategies

9) Supplier Ecosystem (Class II)

• Clear framework for B2B suppliers (platforms, studios, PSPs)

• Enables compliant partnerships with licensed operators

• Supports long-term B2B contracts in Romania