ONJN - Romanian National Gambling Office

ONJN: An Overview

Plans to incorporate a legal regulatory entity to oversee gambling activities in the Romanian market came to fruition in 2013 when the ONJN’s official launch was publicly announced. It would be another two years before the body began operations in 2015 – and the online gambling scene has benefitted greatly from the addition.

Today, the Romanian National Gambling Office provides game platform management across nationwide online gambling operators. The commission’s primary goal is to uphold laws set by the Romanian government – a task that entails enforcing regulations, punishing malicious or improper conduct, and following Romanian legislation to the letter. Uncooperative gambling operators are hit with fierce penalties for failing to adhere to the present Romanian legislative framework.

Importantly, the ONJN eliminates the need to use offshore online gambling operators. By regulating and licensing betting sites, players are free to use safe and fair platforms. As such, the days of second-guessing casino websites are long gone.

ONJN Licensing and Compliance

All gambling activities in Romania are subject to extreme scrutiny by the ONJN. This deep level of research is carried out in an effort to improve the current Romanian market and deliver safe online betting action to users. To achieve this goal, the Romanian National Gambling Office enforces multiple key rules. No gambling operators are exempt from this stringent online platform management – with further information on specific laws outlined below.

Types of Gambling Licenses Issued

Different licenses are granted to online gambling operators depending on their respective audiences, facilities, and more. Although each license permits operators to undertake separate ventures, one element remains the same across the board: gambling operators catering to users located on Romanian territory must pay a fee to obtain a regulatory certificate. Here’s a look at a handful of licensing options put forth by the Romanian regulator:

• Class I License: Romanian online gambling sites seeking to offer gambling activities to customers must apply and pay €300,000 annually for a Class I license. Only by earning this license-type is a platform permitted to publish games of chance for the Romanian market.
• Class II License: Entities that provide services, products, or facilities for online gambling operators are required to obtain a Class II license. This certificate does not allow Class II license holders to service the Romanian market via its own platform, but it may license its own products to Class I operators.
• Remote License: Some sites operating in the Romanian market are licensed by regulators located in other nations. The AGCC (Alderney Gambling Control Commission) is one such body.

Compliance Standards

An in-depth analysis of online gambling activities is pertinent to the success of Romania’s ONJN oversight. Consistently, detailed reports on each platform servicing the Romanian market are developed, ensuring that fiscal and security obligations are accurate and being met.

Other standards required by the ONJN include the platform supporting the Romanian language and the local currency, and correctly taxing users where applicable. In addition, the Romanian National Gambling Office stipulates that users should be free to wager, withdraw funds, and deposit cash via the Romanian leu (RON). Failure to meet any or all of these standards will see the operator’s online gambling license revoked, or the platform shall be hit with a significant punishment.

Recent Regulatory Updates

Online gambling regulations are constantly reevaluated by the ONJN. Structural changes can come about as a result of these regular examinations – most of which should directly benefit the end user.

The Romanian National Gambling Office is on a constant mission to better support players. To do so, the following edits have been made to the present Romanian legislative framework.

Increased Licensing Fees

Class I and Class II gambling operators in the Romanian market must now pay more to participate in the flourishing gambling industry. To be specific, Class I online gambling operators must cough up €300,000 per year regardless of total annual income. Previously, gambling entities paid between €15,600 and €312,000.

Class II online gambling license holders are subject to a €20,000 license fee per year, previously €9,500. On top of that increase, Class II businesses must also adhere to a one-off administrative levy of €10,500. Before October 2023’s changes, this charge stood at €9,500.

New Advertising Guidelines

Part of ONJN’s game platform management in Romania comes in the form of a move away from loose gambling advertisements in favour of more heavy-handed legislation. Where online gambling operators could previously display ads virtually however and whenever they preferred, new legislation only allows marketing material related to gambling outside of the 6 am to 11 pm timeslot. The sole exception to this rule is sporting events – as televised sporting competitions may show betting graphics while the event is underway.

Promoting healthy gambling habits stands as a key focus for the National Gambling Office. That’s why the regulator for the Romanian market now requires that advertisements related to online gambling activities must carry messaging such as, “Family, social life, welfare: are you ready to risk it all?”

Enforcing regulations on advertisements and gambling activities in Romania restricts operators’ freedom regarding deals with certain marketing affiliates and broadcasted material – but not at the cost to players.

Impact on the Gambling Industry

To say Romania’s regulatory body for gambling influences online gaming activities in Romania would be quite an understatement. The Romanian National Gambling Office provides oversight across the entire Romanian market, enforcing regulations throughout all ends of the industry. The present Romanian legislative framework is based on the ideas, teamwork, and forward-thinking approach presided over by the platform management body. As is the case with MGA license holders (Malta Gaming Authority) and similar regulators, every decision is traced back to this governmental department. Let’s run through tangible results and impacts that stem directly from Romania’s National Gambling Office.

Effects on Operators

Class I (B2C) and B2B (Class II) operators are both subject to extreme scrutiny when offering gambling activities in Romania. In addition to facing steep fees, advertising barriers, and constant game platform management – these entities are always on the cusp of potential punishment.

Operators cannot publish ads whenever they like, nor can they upload whatever game is the flavour of the day. Everything must align with the ONJN’s structured policies. While some rules may appear overreaching on first viewing, the fact of the matter is this: operators providing gambling activities in Romania benefit from these regulations. Users are more likely to bet on licensed sites due to the added security – granting online betting sites a fresh influx of players who may have otherwise avoided online wagering entirely.

Market Growth and Trends

According to Statista, the renowned online statistics aggregator, Romania’s online casino industry is expected to grow by more than 5% annually by 2029. Current estimates put the industry’s total revenue around the €1,000,000,000 mark, evidencing a clear upward trajectory for the scene. Gambling revenue has virtually doubled since 2021 and 2022.

All of this culminates to form one clear fact: the National Gambling Office has clearly positively impacted Romania’s online betting sphere. Between clear-cut license information, stonewall penalties, necessary fees, and healthy betting practices – the ONJN serves as one of the top entities providing game platform management in Europe right now.

Pros and Cons of ONJN Regulations

Providing game platform management for an entire nation of users and operators was never going to be easy for the regulator. Nevertheless, Romania’s National Gambling Office has achieved the majority of its early goals without issue. Some proposals may have fallen through the cracks, forcing lawmakers to reassess their current motions, but the results of today’s ruleset have been overwhelmingly positive.

In the table below, you’ll find several positive and negative points associated with the ONJN’s years in power.

• Market & revenue expanding annually

• Clear-cut rules on all operations

• Fair fees for operators

• Enforces healthy gambling measures for players

• Imposes taxes on users and operators

• Restricts operators’ freedom across various mediums

• Strict proposed legislation on the location of gambling offices and/or premises