Throughout the current decade, Romania has repeatedly faced political upheaval, which has also affected the regulation of the gambling market, including the licensing process.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The appointment of Luca Niculescu<\/strong> as prime minister, following numerous unsuccessful attempts to establish stable leadership in the country, could create conditions for the consistent implementation of reforms at Romania\u2019s National Gambling Office (ONJN).<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n As part of efforts to stabilise the gambling sector, ONJN was previously subject to a strategic review initiated by newly elected President Valentin-Ioan Tomescu<\/strong>. He identified digitalisation, strengthening the workforce and addressing gambling addiction as key priorities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n There is currently no indication that Niculescu\u2019s appointment will lead to Tomescu leaving his position. The new prime minister has also identified digitalisation as one of his priorities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Niculescu has also previously stated that he does not intend to introduce new taxes across the Romanian economy as a whole. This approach could be welcomed by gambling industry stakeholders, who have faced changes to the taxation of operator revenues and player winnings since 2018.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Romania\u2019s gambling market continues to adjust to significant increases in taxes and licence fees. Winnings of up to RON 10,000 (approximately $2,170) are now taxed at 4%, up from the previous rate of 3%. Winnings between RON 10,001 and RON 66,750 (approximately $2,172\u2013$14,470) are subject to a flat tax of RON 400 (around $87), plus 20% of the amount exceeding RON 10,000.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Winnings above RON 66,750 (approximately $14,470) are taxed at RON 11,750 (around $2,540), plus 40% of the amount exceeding the threshold.<\/p>\n\n\n\n These changes come as Romanian authorities seek to reduce the country\u2019s budget deficit, which remains one of the largest in the European Union.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Speaking at the SBC Summit<\/strong> in Lisbon, Dan Ghita<\/strong>, Chairman of the Rombet<\/strong> association, emphasised that regulatory predictability is essential for the growth of the gambling market. He said frequent changes to the rules negatively affect operators\u2019 willingness to invest in the industry.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Claudiu M\u00eendru\u021b<\/strong>, Deputy General Director of state-owned lottery Loteria Rom\u00e2n\u0103<\/strong>, also called for a stable regulatory environment and warned policymakers against adopting an excessively heavy-handed approach. Reflecting on the past few years, he noted that even the state lottery had faced difficulties.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cSerious companies need predictability. Otherwise, opportunists can step in,\u201d he warned as Romania moves towards a new phase.<\/p>\n\n\n\n