Mandatory player verification, advertising restrictions - Romania

The Romanian gambling market is one of the most formalized in the region. The ONJN regulator requires strict customer identification (KYC/AML) and provides a clear framework for advertising. The goal is to protect minors and vulnerable users, make bonuses and payments transparent, and communications honest and responsible.

1) Mandatory verification (KYC/AML)

When and what to check

Age and personality: 18 +, document with photo (ID/passport), sometimes selfie verification or video verification.

Address and payment method: proof of residence and the right to dispose of the payment instrument.

Source of funds (by risk): with increased limits or anomalies - additional documents.

Account rules

Prior to KYC, deposit/play restrictions are possible; withdrawal of funds without verification is prohibited.

One user - one account with the operator; multi-account and personality substitution are prohibited.

Any attempt to bypass jurisdiction (VPN, etc.) can lead to account blocking and withholding funds according to T&C rules.

Responsible Gaming Tools (required by licensees)

Deposit/loss/time limits with a "cooling-off period" on increase.

Timeout and self-exclusion (local/all sites - according to available mechanisms).

Transaction and bid history, session duration reminders.

2) Advertising and promotional restrictions

Who and how can be targeted

Strictly 18 +: prohibition of direct/indirect appeal to minors, images/platforms aimed at children and adolescents are unacceptable.

Advertising - licensed brands only; Specify legal details/conditions.

What should be in creativity

Transparent T&C bonuses (vager, odds, timing, market contribution) - in clear font and without asterisks.

Responsible play messages where appropriate and links to self-monitoring tools.

What is prohibited

Formulations like "easy earnings," "no risk," "guaranteed gain."

Pressure on vulnerable groups, heroization of excessive play, promises to improve social status through betting.

Hidden marketing without labeling, aggressive "bombardment" of fluffs/letters without frequency restrictions.

Influencers and sponsorships

Allowed only when promoting a licensed product and complying with 18 +, without contacting minors.

In sports, sponsorship with neutral branding and RG messages is acceptable; no "provocation to the game."

3) Channels and process requirements

Media and platforms are co-responsible for compliance with the rules (age filters, "black lists" of audiences).

Online age-gating, geo-settings for Romania and blocking underage audiences are required.

For applications - an official store, correct descriptions and understandable RG/limits settings.

4) Enforcement and sanctions

ONJN maintains license registers and block lists of unlicensed domains; payment providers restrict transactions to them.

For violations - prescriptions, fines, suspension/cancellation of permits, public notifications of measures.

Advertising violations entail liability for both the operator and the site/publisher.

5) Checklist for operator

• KYC/AML policy: documents, selfie check, address, transaction monitoring.
• RG panel: limits, timeout, self-exclusion, transaction history, session reminders.
• T&C bonuses: visibility, readability, lack of mislide.
• Advertising compliance: 18 +, age-gating, frequency caps, labeling, prohibition of "easy earnings."
• Contracts only with licensed B2Bs (platform, payments, KYC, audit).
• Incident procedures: IS/payments/marketing, change log, support SLA.

6) Checklist for the player

• Check the operator's license (legal entity, permit number).
• Complete KYC and set up limits right away.
• Read T&C bonuses in full (vager, timing, minimum odds).
• Store history/screenshots of coupons and correspondence with support.
• For signs of impulsive play - use timeout/self-exclusion.

Bottom line: in Romania, player verification is mandatory, and advertising is strictly regulated: only 18 +, only licensed products, full bonus conditions and no "romanticization" of excitement. This combination of KYC/AML + marketing restrictions protects the consumer and supports fair competition between legal operators.