Romanian National Gambling Office (ONJN)
Good news for Romanian online casino players – your online gambling is governed and protected by the Oficiului Național pentru Jocuri de Noroc (ONJN), also known as the National Gambling Office .
Under terms set out by the Romanian government, the ONJN is tasked with regulating gambling and online gambling within Romania, helping to license, control and monitor approved gambling providers. Based in Bucharest, the ONJN regulates all games and gambling activities, ranging from online slots and table games to poker, bingo, sports betting, horse racing and more. Let’s take a closer look at ONJN, and find out just how beneficial it is for both operators and players alike.
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What is the Oficiului Național pentru Jocuri de Noroc?
Established in 2013, the Oficiului Național pentru Jocuri de Noroc began monitoring gambling in Romania more stringently from the latter half of 2015 onwards. While online gambling services have been permitted in the country since 2014, there are no restrictions on gaming at foreign casinos. Although this gave Romanian players the luxury of choice, it also led to issues such as money laundering, loss of tax revenue, and lack of protection for Romanian players.
Today, the landscape of gambling and online gambling activities in Romania looks very different. From slots and table games to bingo and sweepstakes, all forms of gambling across land-based and online casinos require gambling licenses to operate. In order for a gambling website to legally offer its services to players, it must first obtain a Class 1 ONJN License.
This is issued temporarily for one year and can be extended to ten years after that. Furthermore, in addition to operators, all software providers and certain marketing and advertising companies need to be licensed. It’s clear that the ONJN is taking its role seriously and making gambling safer and more regulated for Romanian players.
Popular Online Casinos Licensed in Romania
If you’re a Romanian online casino player looking to place a bet on a site that’s licensed, legal and regulated, you’ll have a number of different options to choose from. The Oficiului Național pentru Jocuri de Noroc has three different licenses available, with various permissions, for those operators and companies seeking Romanian licensing:
- Class 1 License (Type 1): issued to gambling operators holding a definitive license, valid for 10 years.
- Class 1 License (Type 2): issued to gambling operators holding a temporary license, valid for 1 year, with the option of being upgraded to a Type 1 license.
- Class 2 License: issued to software providers and companies supplying products and services to the Romanian gambling industry.
- Class 3 License: issued to the National Romanian Lottery.
All licenses require operators to pay certain fees and abide by Romanian law.
Thanks to licensed foreign online gambling operators being allowed to accept players from Romania, as a Romanian player, you’ll have a variety of reputable online casinos to choose from, including known providers.
Applying for an Oficiului Național pentru Jocuri de Noroc license
To apply for an ONJN gambling license, your company must be established within the EU, EEA, or Switzerland. If your main servers are not located in Romania, you need to set up mirror servers in the country. You will also need to open Romanian bank accounts and process all player transactions through a licensed Class 2 payment processor in Romania.
Your platform must be secure and capable of handling large volumes of transactions and player data, with advanced encryption and cybersecurity measures to protect user data and financial transactions. Additionally, you must comply with extensive regulatory standards, including regular audits and reporting, anti-fraud and anti-money laundering measures, and player protection initiatives such as self-exclusion options, deposit limits, and support services for problem gambling.
Hiring qualified Romanian staff can provide significant tax deductions. Ensuring that your staff is well-trained and adheres to local regulations is essential for maintaining compliance with ONJN standards. Meeting these requirements will help you provide a secure, fair, and responsible gambling environment for players.
The Pros and Cons of the Oficiului Național pentru Jocuri de Noroc gambling license
Applying for an ONJN gambling license comes with various pros and cons, which all applicants should be aware of.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| ✅ An ONJN gambling license incurs fewer taxes and licensing fees than those in other EU jurisdictions | 🌍 To apply for a Class 1 License, a company must be established within the EU, the EEA, or the Swiss Confederation |
| ✅ A 10-year license helps support operators’ long-term success | 💾 Those online operators whose main servers are not physically located in Romania must establish safe mirror servers in the country |
| ✅ Hiring qualified Romanian staff offers significant tax deductions | 🏦 Online gambling operators must open Romanian bank accounts and process all player transactions via a licensed Class 2 payment processor |
| ✅ Online gambling servers do not need to be physically located in Romania | 📑 Compliance with extensive regulatory requirements can be complex and time-consuming |
| ✅ EU players can join .com platforms licensed in Romania, with no taxes for the operator or non-Romanian citizens | 🔍 Regular audits and strict oversight can increase operational costs |
Domestic Laws and Regulations of the Oficiului Național pentru Jocuri de Noroc
Suppose an online casino with an ONJN gambling license is found to be non-compliant with any of its laws and regulations. In that case, a player may file a complaint with the Oficiului Național pentru Jocuri de Noroc. Should the online casino be found guilty, a large fine may be imposed, and in some cases the license may even be revoked.
Having these regulations in place holds operators accountable for their practices at all times, and helps maintain industry best practices. Additionally, all online casinos are required to be secured by stringent encryption technology, further safeguarding the security of players.
Additional Oficiului Național pentru Jocuri de Noroc Legislation
In addition to the various legalities associated with ONJN licenses, there is additional legislation that governs the gambling activities of licensed online casino operators, particularly concerning marketing and advertising:
- All unsolicited emails and spam are strictly prohibited.
- Sending marketing materials to self-excluded online players is forbidden.
- Unauthorized gambling advertising is prohibited.
- Outdoor advertising may not be placed in the vicinity of schools, cultural or religious premises.
- Online casino bonuses may only be promoted through limited, licensed channels.
Furthermore, all online gambling operators are obliged to contribute €5,000 annually to socially responsible gambling activities, to help prevent gambling addiction.
The History of the Oficiului Național pentru Jocuri de Noroc
The National Office for Gambling has been in effect since 2013, but it only began enforcing its laws and guidelines in 2015. Before this, Romanians were free to play at any foreign online casino of their choice. After amending Romanian gambling regulations and introducing the ONJN license, the National Office for Gambling was able to address illegal and unregulated gambling, thus protecting the safety of Romanian players.
Today, all licensed online casinos must comply with the regulations outlined in their license, leading to improved security and safer online gambling for players. With more security and transparency, player satisfaction improves, and Romanian players can enjoy high-quality online gambling with peace of mind.
FAQ
Is gambling legal in Romania?
Yes. Gambling and betting are legal in Romania, provided that the gaming operator has applied for and been granted the relevant Oficiului Național pentru Jocuri de Noroc license.
How do I apply for a gambling license in Romania?
You will need to submit documentation detailing that certain technical and operational requirements have been met, and you will need to prove that your company is of good standing, and able to pay off any debts it may incur.
Can you gamble online in Romania?
Yes. Provided that the gaming operator is located in an EU or EEA jurisdiction, or the Swiss Confederation, and has been granted a Class 1 License, online gambling in Romania is legal.
Does Romania tax online gambling winnings?
Yes. Taxation depends on the level of a player’s income, ranging from 3% for an income of less than €2,000 and 40% for an income of more than €13,500. Tax is applied to each withdrawal made from each gaming account opened on an online platform.
How old do you have to be to gamble in Romania?
The legal age for gambling in Romania is 18. Gambling by minors is strictly prohibited.
