Gambling Activities in Romania

Theoretically, organizing and performing gambling activities in Romania constitutes state monopoly; however the state may grant the right to organize and perform gambling activities based on license and authorization for performing such activities (these being two distinct documents).

The license for organizing gambling is issued for each gambling activity, is non-transmissible and it is valid for a period of 5 years since the date it was granted. Granting date is defined by law as being the first day of the month next to the one in which the solicitor has paid the amounts which are owed in advance.

Performing gambling activities may be done only based on the authorization issued by the Ministry of Finance. Such authorization is granted for a period of 12 months and the date since it is valid is also the first day of the month next to the one in which the solicitor has paid the amounts which are owed in advance.

By law the license for organizing gambling or authorization for performing gambling activities cannot be granted if the solicitor:
a) Has, at the date when he submitted his request, unpaid debts to the state budget;
b) Did not deposit the guarantee for covering the risk for non-payment of the debts to the state budget, as required by law.

The companies which produce or import gambling devices in Romania for the purpose of commercializing or using them in any way, within 15 business days since those operations were registered in their accounting books have to declare the respective gambling devices to the commission.

In case of the activity of producing gambling devices, the producers have to obtain the approval of the commission for performing this activity. The fine for non-complying with these obligations is determined between 50,000 – 100,000 EUR and the goods produced without complying with the law or the money obtained from selling such goods shall be confiscated.