Europe · RO
Romania
Romania's 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. We prepare and manage applications to each authority.
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
Our Regulatory & Licensing practice prepares the applications for these routes and manages them through to the regulator's decision.
Considerations
What to weigh up
- B2B suppliers: plan your own Class II licence, required 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. We deliver each to the requirements that apply locally, coordinating local specialists where local law, registration, representation or professional requirements require it.
- Privacy & Data ProtectionExternal DPO services and working privacy programmes: GDPR and global privacy laws, DPIAs, data mapping, transfers and ISO/IEC 27701.
- Information Security & CybersecurityFractional CISO support, ISMS and security programmes, certification and audit readiness, DORA, NIS2 and customer assurance for enterprise sales.
- AI GovernanceGovernance that lets AI adoption scale: EU AI Act readiness, ISO/IEC 42001 management systems, AI risk and impact assessments, and vendor risk.
- 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, copyright, domain disputes and enforcement that protect your brand, software and content across markets.
- Legal OpinionsRegulatory, business model, perimeter, payment, gaming, crypto-asset and cross-border opinions that answer what banks and investors ask.
- Bank Account OpeningHelp organising your banking with banks and EMIs that fit your model, from the onboarding file and account structure to periodic reviews.
- Merchant Account / Acquiring SetupMerchant applications, acquiring structure and negotiated terms for online and high-risk merchants that need stable card and local payment acceptance.
Support
Romania: how we support your business
- Regulatory & LicensingStrategy, applications and regulator engagement for the gaming, payments and investment routes listed above.
- Corporate StructuringGroup architecture, incorporation, substance and governance built around your licences, banking and investors.
- Market Entry & Regulatory StrategyMarket prioritisation, regulatory roadmaps and launch readiness that let you expand into new jurisdictions in the right order.
- Information Security & CybersecurityDORA, NIS2 and the information security obligations that apply under EU law.
Romania: the right fit for your business?
We look at your product, target clients and banking needs to see whether this jurisdiction fits or another would serve you better, then send a written proposal with scope, timetable and fee.