Romania’s regulated gambling sector is preparing for major regulatory reforms from August 1. From increased taxes on online and land-based operations to a ban on gambling commercials, the changes will drastically impact how operators and players currently navigate the market. While the government expects higher revenue as a direct result of these changes, the real-world impact remains to be seen.
Romanian Gambling Market Reforms: What Industry Stakeholders Should Expect
- Starting August 1, 2025, Romania will execute a gambling tax hike, which will affect both players and operators. GGR will increase from 21.5% to 30%, the retail sector will shell out 25%, up from 21.1%, and winners will pay a minimum of 10%.
- A blanket ban on untargeted gambling commercials featuring celebrities, athletes, and influencers over broadcasting channels like television or social media will be enforced.
- Experts warn that these stern measures could steer players toward unregulated gambling sites, which currently enjoy a 17% market share. The recent tax hike could push the figure up to 20%.
Political Instability at the Core of Romania’s Gambling Reform Journey
The Romanian iGaming sector has been largely regulated since the early days. However, the reforms began in June 2025, as the political scenario evolved. The formation of a new government marked the end of a prolonged political crisis that had paralysed lawmaking and crippled the national budget.
Ilie Bolojan, leader of the National Liberal Party (PNL), assumed his new role as the Romanian Prime Minister on June 23. The new parliament comprised a five-party coalition. All parties agreed to set aside political differences and focus on the crisis at hand. Regaining economic credibility among EU member nations by meeting the fiscal deficit was the government’s priority.
Finance Minister Alexandru Nazare is at the helm of the gambling tax reforms in Romania. The minister emphasised the need for reforms within the sector to curb the black-market menace and “restore transparency and fairness” within an industry that has long been reeling under the effects of a “regulatory grey zone.” Nazare says:
We are increasing authorisation fees and all other gambling-related taxes by a very large amount. After authorisation, they rise by almost 30%. We want to send a very strong signal regarding gambling taxation, which we know is very harmful.
These reforms are part of a broader effort by the government to overhaul the country’s fiscal framework. Romanian lawmakers have clearly stated their intention to scrutinise every sector. The Bolojan government claims no industry will be exempted, and every area of economic activity, including gambling, will have to embrace the reforms.
How the Reforms Will Shape Romania’s Gambling Industry
Starting from August 1, Romania will implement a new tax regime on the gambling sector. This will impact both players and operators. Online gambling platforms will now pay a 30% tax on Gross Gaming Revenue, up from 21.5% while land-based operators will pay 25% in taxes.
This marks a significant increase in GGR tax hikes seen in Europe recently, and will add a considerable tax burden on gaming operators in Romania. Players must also bear the brunt of the next tax system. The government will charge a 10% tax on winnings of up to RON 10,000 (€2,000).
For amounts between RON 10,000 and RON 66,750 (€13,500), a flat fee of RON 1,000 will apply, along with 20% of the amount exceeding RON 10,000. This will add a significant burden on players, as the previous tax rate was just 3%. For payouts exceeding RON 66,750, the government will charge RON 12,350 plus 40% of the amount above the threshold.
Romania’s new tax regime replaces the old model, where the maximum tax rate was RON 11,650 plus 40% of the amount over the threshold. The government aims to reduce the fiscal deficit by taxing gamblers who win bigger payouts. To prevent players from being taxed multiple times on the same amount for different transactions, the government introduced a special deduction threshold for high-stakes games, such as poker, lotteries, slots, and casino games.
The next major change is the ban on gambling advertisements. In the past, operators frequently collaborated with athletes, singers, actors, and influencers to build recognisable campaigns. Over 70 licensed gambling sites in Romania today have had multiple ambassadors over the years. The new regulation will force these companies to rethink their promotional strategies.
Although the government aims to increase revenue with the new regulations in place, experts are wary of the real-world impact. Industry leaders believe that simply raising taxes will not boost revenue streams. In fact, the biggest challenge now would be to dissuade players from opting for unlicensed gambling operators in a bid to avoid the steep tax rates.
Smaller gambling operators face the maximum threat as higher taxes may render operations unviable. This could also fuel black market operations in the country, as seen in 2023. A sudden ban on slot machine venues in towns with fewer than 15,000 residents had led to a sudden spurt in illegal gambling in those areas. Experts believe the new regulations could have a similar effect on the regulated gambling sector.
In other news, the Romanian Legal Affairs Committee approved a parliamentary proposal to enforce self-exclusion regulations. This will reduce compliance timelines, improve online accessibility, and enforce strict penalties for non-compliance, including a six-month licence suspension.