ROMANIA Law and Practice Contributed by: Cosmina Maria Simion, Alina Tace and Petruș Partene, WH Simion & Partners
2.2 Land-Based Gambling Where the following sectors are described as per- mitted, this means that the respective categories of games of chance are permitted, subject to obtaining the necessary license and authorisation(s). Betting Betting activities are permitted under Romanian law, and the gambling legislation expressly regulates three types of land-based betting: • fixed-odds betting; • exchange betting; and • mutual (pari-mutuel) betting. Poker Poker is permitted under Romanian law and the gam- bling legislation expressly regulates land-based poker Bingo is permitted, with Romanian legislation regulat- ing two types of land-based bingo games: bingo per- formed in specialised bingo halls and bingo organised via television networks. Casinos Casinos are permitted in Romania, with the gambling legislation regulating in detail the regime for land- based casino licensing. Gaming Machines Gaming machines are permitted in Romania. Follow- ing the amendments to the primary gambling legisla- tion which entered into force on 6 October 2023, the legislation now regulates only two categories of slot- machine gaming: • slot machines with unlimited stakes and winnings; and • video lottery terminals (VLTs). clubs. Bingo Electronic devices awarding winnings with limited risk were removed from the primary gambling legislation. The amendments that have been in force since 28 April 2024, which were further modified by the changes of 28 June 2024, limit the operation of land-based prem-
• mutual (pari-mutuel) betting. Online bingo is permitted and the online bingo licence also covers keno games. Casinos Online casinos are permitted and the casino licence also covers online poker and online slot-machine gaming. Lotteries Online lottery games are restricted since this category falls under the monopoly of the Romanian National Lottery. Fantasy Sports Fantasy sports are not expressly regulated under Romanian gambling legislation. If this activity does not fulfil the mandatory conditions of gambling (see 3.2 Definition of Gambling ), then fantasy sports should fall outside the purview of the gambling legal frame- work. Social Gaming Social gaming is not expressly regulated under Roma- nian gambling legislation. If this activity does not fulfil the mandatory conditions of gambling (see 3.2 Defi - nition of Gambling ), then social gaming should fall outside the purview of the gambling legal framework. Poker Online poker is permitted and is included in the cat- egory of online casino games. Other Relevant Sectors Tombola/raffles Tombola games are regulated under Romanian legis- lation as an express category of land-based gambling and the licensing regime was updated in 2022. Any other types of games of chance This generic category includes any product that fulfils the cumulative conditions of games of chance and is not expressly defined by the gambling regulation. The legal regime for such unregulated products will be established by the local regulator based on the game rules and description presented by the organiser.
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