Insights Through the looking glass and what I found in Romanian gambling law

The long-awaited reforms came into law in the shape of Ordinance No. 92/2014, which took effect on 13th February. The ‘Ordinance’ creates three classes of licence:

  • ‘Class 1’ operating licences;
  • ‘Class 2’ licenses for those ‘involved’ in gambling activities (e.g. payment processors); and
  • ‘Class 3’ for online lotteries (currently a monopoly of Loteria Romania).

Again, the new regulation is not without its wrinkles. Secondary legislation was due to take effect on 10th July but has been delayed following the issuance of an EC ‘detailed opinion’. A punitive 20% retrospective duty from when the operator ‘started operating in the country’ has also caused dismay and is seen by commentators as an unfair barrier to market entry for operators who have historically served the country under Article 56 TFEU. That said, a number of operators have done deals with the Romanian National Gambling Office and licenses have been issued. Unlike Portugal with its stratospheric turnover tax, Romania seems at least worth doing.