Romania has rolled out a tougher, B2B-first enforcement playbook designed to choke off unlicensed online gambling at the source. A package of amendments took effect on 18 December 2025 and tightens obligations on Class II suppliers — including software developers, platform providers, hosting firms and payment processors — so they can’t indirectly power black-market operations.
The key change is a clearer test for when B2B services are banned. Under the reforms, suppliers must not support an unlicensed B2C operator when three factors show the offer is effectively aimed at Romania: the gambling content is in Romanian, deposits or withdrawals are available in Romanian leu or other currencies (including cryptoassets), and Romanian players can access the product without the operator holding a valid ONJN Class I licence.
Romania rolls the dice on strict gambling reforms to protect players
Beyond the rulebook, the practical burden shifts from “don’t ask, don’t tell” to active gatekeeping. Licensed suppliers are now expected to proactively block access when Romanian players are detected using unlicensed platforms and to notify the unlicensed operator to fix the breach. The state is effectively deputising the B2B layer as a first line of defense.
Penalties have teeth. Non-compliance is treated as a criminal offence, carrying potential imprisonment of six months to two years, fines, and risks that range from licence revocation to the dissolution of the offending company.
The reforms also modernise monitoring on the land-based side. From January 2026, slot machines and VLT terminals must include geolocation systems capable of pinpointing their location in Romania — whether in operation, storage, transit or maintenance — tightening oversight across the equipment lifecycle nationwide.
