Gambling in Romania

Two things separate Romania from most of the European market. It taxes the player rather than only the operator, and it is in the middle of deciding whether to raise its gambling age to 21.

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Romania at a glance: Romania regulates gambling through the ONJN under a framework dating from 2009, and the minimum age is 18. Two features are unusual for Europe: player winnings are taxed, with a base rate set in 2025 legislation, and a bill to raise the gambling age from 18 to 21 has been approved by the Senate and is awaiting a final decision.
18, with a bill before parliament to raise it to 21Legal age
Taxed in the player's handsTax on winnings
ONJN (Oficiul National pentru Jocuri de Noroc)Regulator
August 2026Verified

The player pays tax here

Across most of Europe the gambling duty falls on the operator and the player keeps the win. Romania does both: 2025 legislation set the operator's gross gaming revenue tax and a base tax on player winnings alongside it. If you are used to Denmark, Austria or the United Kingdom, this is the difference that will surprise you at the cage.

The age is 18 today. A bill approved by the Senate would raise it to 21 and tighten online advertising further, and it was awaiting a final decision at the time of writing. That is not yet law and should not be planned around in either direction; it is listed here because it is the kind of change that invalidates a directory page overnight.

What this means for a visitor

  • 18 today, and worth confirming before travelling if a birthday is the deciding factor.
  • Budget for the player-side tax rather than assuming the European norm.
  • The ONJN licenses and publishes its operators, so a venue's status is checkable.
  • Single-zero roulette at 2.70% is the continental expectation.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are gambling winnings taxed in Romania?
Yes, in the player's hands, which is unusual in Europe. Legislation in 2025 set both the operator's revenue tax and a base rate on player winnings.
Is Romania raising its gambling age to 21?
A bill to do so has been approved by the Senate and awaits a final decision. The age is 18 until that happens.
Who regulates gambling in Romania?
The ONJN, the national gambling office, under a framework established in 2009.

Legal age, regulator and the tax treatment of player winnings on this page were checked against the regulator's own material or a reputable legal summary in August 2026. Gambling law moves; confirm anything consequential with the regulator before relying on it. Where sources disagreed, this site leaves the figure out rather than guessing.