
Europe · RO
Romania
Romania's National Gambling Office (ONJN) licenses online gambling operators and suppliers; the National Bank and the Financial Supervisory Authority supervise financial services.
At a glance
- Status
- EU member state
- Region
- Europe
- Regulated sectors
- GamingPaymentsInvestment
- Authorities
- ONJN · BNR · ASF · ONPCSB
- Licensing routes
- 4
- See also
- EU / MiCA
Overview
The framework
Romania licenses online gambling through the National Gambling Office (ONJN), distinguishing between licences for operators (Class I) and for suppliers of gambling-related services, such as platforms and game content (Class II).
The National Bank of Romania authorises payment and e-money institutions, and the Financial Supervisory Authority (ASF) supervises capital markets, insurance and private pensions. Crypto-asset services fall under MiCA.
Authorities
Who regulates what
- National Gambling Office (ONJN)
- Licensing and supervision of gambling, including online.
- National Bank of Romania (BNR)
- Banks, payment and e-money institutions.
- Financial Supervisory Authority (ASF)
- Capital markets, insurance and private pensions.
- National Office for Prevention and Control of Money Laundering
- Financial intelligence unit; AML/CFT reporting.
Regimes
Licensing routes
Class I licence
Licence for operators organising online gambling.
Sectors: Gaming
Class II licence
Licence for suppliers of gambling-related services to operators.
Sectors: Gaming
Payment / e-money institution
Authorisation by the National Bank of Romania, passportable across the EEA.
Sectors: Payments
Investment firm
ASF authorisation for investment services.
Sectors: Investment
Applications and regulator engagement for these routes are handled by our Regulatory & Licensing practice.
Considerations
What to weigh up
- B2B suppliers need their own licence to serve Romanian operators.
- Financial licences benefit from EU passporting; gambling licences do not.
This overview is general information, summarised at a high level. Requirements change and depend on the specific activity; seek advice on your circumstances before acting.
Industries
Relevant industries
Across jurisdictions
Cross-jurisdiction capabilities
Services we support across the jurisdictions in our directory, described once on their own pages. How each is delivered depends on the local requirements that apply; where local qualification is required, we coordinate locally qualified counsel.
- Privacy & Data ProtectionPrivacy compliance and GDPR programmes, notices and DPAs, DPIAs, data mapping and ROPA, transfers, audits and breach response.
- AML & Financial Crime ComplianceAML/CFT programmes, MLRO-as-a-Service, independent AML/CFT audits, risk assessments, monitoring, sanctions and inspection support.
- IP Registration & ProtectionTrademark and patent registration and protection, copyright protection, domain name disputes, portfolio support and IP agreements.
- Legal OpinionsRegulatory, business model, perimeter, payment, gaming, crypto-asset and cross-border opinions for banks, partners and investors.
- Bank Account OpeningSupport with corporate and operational accounts at banks and EMIs, prepared for how their compliance teams assess high-risk businesses.
- Merchant Account / Acquiring SetupSupport with merchant account applications and acquiring setup at acquirers and PSPs, including for high-risk merchant categories.
Support
How we support businesses in Romania
- Regulatory & Licensing01Strategy, applications and regulator engagement for the gaming, payments and investment routes listed above.
- Corporate Structuring02Group architecture, incorporation, substance and governance built around your licences, banking and investors.
- Market Entry & Regulatory Strategy10Market prioritisation, regulatory roadmaps and launch readiness for businesses expanding into new jurisdictions.
- Information Security & Technology Compliance06DORA, NIS2 and the information security obligations that apply under EU law.
Discuss your matter with a senior advisor.
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