Romanian (ONJN) Licensed Casinos

Introduction to Romanian National Gambling Office Casinos

Gambling in Romania is a relatively recent phenomenon. The country legalised casino gambling only in 2006. However, the market for gambling remains strong. According to official figures as of 2015, there were over 910,000 registered customers.

This is in comparison to just over 1,300,000 residents. Indeed it is relatively new on the European scene, mainly due to ongoing issues such as organised crime infiltration and addiction problems. All this is mainly due to excessive gaming behaviour among some gamblers, particularly young males.

In Romania, gambling is a popular pastime. The casinos and poker rooms are always busy. Betting on sports, horse races or roulette also has a sizable following.

Poker tournaments can attract up to 2,000 participants at once. Although, there is certainly a risk of developing an addiction to gambling, only if it becomes regular and compulsive. Most people who gamble never become addicted according to experts. But then again they might not be able to stop either. Still, Romania continues to be one of Europe’s most popular destinations for gambling tourists.

History

Romania has had rich roots in gambling in the past. One of the earliest manifestations of gambling in Romania is from back in ancient India. It was here that dice games were first introduced. Romanians eventually adopted them as well. Donkey racing, cockfighting and bingo all originated in Europe. Eventually, they soon spread across Asia and Africa.

All this thanks to Europeans travelling there during trade expeditions. In mediaeval Constantinople, card decks played a major role in place of dice games such as shear-of-cards. This tradition is still followed today by some Turks who call it tarot or karaoke.

Although, gambling has a long and complicated history in Romania, initially, gambling was a form of entertainment among the nobility. It wasn’t until later that gambling became popular among ordinary people. Before World War II, gambling was legal in Romania only for those who could afford to play at high-end casinos.

As time went on and more people became impoverished, illegal betting houses started appearing all over the country. This led to increased crime rates and social problems associated with addiction to gaming. Nevertheless, illegal betting continues to be an important part of Romanian gambling history.

Gambling also played an important role in mediaeval society, often seen as means of financing wars or other major ventures. However, prohibitionism swept through Romania during the late 19th century and early 20th century. It led to a dramatic decline in casino activity. This situation changed after World War II.

Bucharest emerged as one of Europe's most thriving capitals for nightlife and casinos began re-emerging on the Romanian scene. Today there are several well-established casinos in the country, all this with well-regulated laws for gambling for the players.

Gambling Laws and Regulations

Gambling in Romania is now legal, but there are some restrictions. Throughout history, gambling has been central to Romania. With the establishment of ONJN, the licensing authority for any type of gambling, the gambling market in the country has grown. This body has ensured fair gambling through its strict policies and laws.

All this with great emphasis on the safety and security of the players, although the licences that the authority can grant are expensive. The law is a ray of hope for people who legally use online casino services from their homes. Since ONJN certifies multiple online casinos, users can choose from many platforms. And also enjoy the best casino experience.

Finally, the formation of a regulatory body by the government took place in 2013. It was necessary to control online gambling in the country. The government granted the body the main objective of preventing illegal gambling in the country. The governing body is the ONJN as the National Gambling Authority.

This has been contested by the EU on several grounds, mainly because any online company must have a physical base in Romania to apply for an ONJN licence. In addition, their site servers are to be in the country. Additionally, the tax structure for online poker was such that every single bet was taxed. Although it was later reworked to tax only gross gambling receipts.

Currently, all gambling activities in the country are under the Oficiului Național Pentru Jocuri de Noroc. Also known as the National Gambling Authority. It is the only body and regulatory body in Romania. ONJN is responsible for preventing illegal gambling and gambling addiction among players. The aim of the body is to provide a safe gambling environment for all players.

The Regulatory Body in Romania ONJN

The establishment of the ONJN took place under the Romanian Prime Minister in 2013. The Deputy Prime Minister stated at the time that the main objective of this body would be the regulation of gambling and consumer protection. The head of the Romanian National Gambling Authority is appointed by presidential decree with parliamentary confirmation.

The National Gambling Authority is responsible for regulating the industry and ensuring the safety of players. It also works to combat illegal gambling and protect the interests of players. Also promoting responsible gaming behaviour and educating the public about sensible ways to enjoy gambling responsibly.

ONJN was established to verify licences and operators in the gambling market. Regular checks and tests with the software are carried out by the authenticity control authority. This checks whether the operator in the country is providing services legally or not. All licence applicants must demonstrate financial stability and sound business practices to ONJN.

In addition, as an applicant, you must agree not to offer any games or services that are illegal under local laws. Finally, all licensees must adhere to strict moral standards set by the authority. This includes banning gambling and marketing products to minors.

Overall, the National Gambling Authority is responsible for the regulation of gambling in Romania. Gambling is legal as long as it complies with regulations set by the governing board. Casinos, poker rooms, bookies and other similar establishments must obtain a licence from the board. An authorised licence must be obtained before starting operations.

Licence Provisions of ONJN

ONJN is the main governing body for gambling in Romania. In order for a company to legally offer gambling services in Romania, the operator must obtain 2 licences. Class 1 gambling licence. Furthermore, one or more authorizations for the purpose of organising gambling games. Business-to-consumer operators are encouraged to apply for a Class 1 licence.

This is in addition to other regulations. The ONJN also requires a licensing requirement for all business-to-business providers that provide services to the gambling industry. All these providers are required to apply for a class-2 licence. This is provided by ONJN.

Different categories of B2B service providers for which class 2 licences are issued by ONJN are the following:

• Manufacturers, distributors, as well as other companies, provide gaming options.
• Different providers of software.
• Management providers for software and data centres.
• Streaming service providers for all types of live casinos.
• Bodies for confirmation and other software provider companies.
• Processors for payment along with affiliate services.