Online gambling in Romania and Bulgaria: Eastern Europe

Online gambling in Romania and Bulgaria: Eastern Europe (full text)

💡 Status for 2025 (overview article without reference to a specific date of amendments; the figures of rates and thresholds for regulators are periodically updated - they should be checked in the current version of the norms).

1) Picture of the region: what is common

Both countries use national licenses, allow an online market for private operators, and build supervision around three circuits:

1. Licensing (B2C operators and B2B suppliers/payment/content providers).

2. Responsible play (18 + verification, limits, reality checks, self-exclusion).

3. Enforcement (domain block lists, advertising restrictions, cooperation with payment organizations).

2) Romania

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ONJN (Oficiul Național pentru Jocuri de Noroc) is the unified national oversight.

License class system: conditionally Class I (B2C operators), Class II (suppliers/payments/technical support, etc.), Class III (lotteries).

There are registers of permitted brands and technical providers; unlicensed sites are placed on a public block list (ISP/payment locks).

What is allowed online

Casino games (slots and tables), poker, sports betting.

Demo mode - with age control; playing for money - only after full KYC verification.

Responsible game and player

Required: deposit/expense limits, "reality checks," timeouts.

The self-exclusion procedure works (at the request of the player) with distribution to all licensed operators.

Advertising and bonuses are allowed within strict rules: 18 + target, transparent T&C, prohibition of misleading wording, restrictions on sites and formats.

Taxes and fees (in general terms)

Online operators: the model is based on GGR (gross gaming income) taxation with additional license fees/duties and reporting obligations.

Players: Winnings may fall under progressive scale retention/declaration; the current thresholds and rates are periodically reviewed (it is important to check the current rules for online winnings and offline prizes).

Law enforcement

Regular updates of domain blacklists, instructions to providers, measures to affiliates, fines.

Strict requirements for the B2B chain (RNG/game certification, event logging, data protection).

3) Bulgaria

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The NRA (National Revenue Agency) is responsible for licenses and oversight of the gambling market; the former Gambling Commission is abolished, the functions are consolidated.

Direct register of licenses, technical certification of content, control of reporting and payments.

What is allowed online

Casino games (slots/tables), poker, betting - with a national license.

All key KYC/AML processes are required before access to the money game.

Responsible game and player

18 + standards, self-limiting tools (limits, timeouts), available self-exclusion mechanisms.

Advertising is allowed in limited formats (without targeting minors; with warnings and channel restrictions).

Taxes and fees (in general terms)

Online operators: the basic logic is a tax on GGR (uniform for online casinos), while separate fees and formulas are applied for the offline part (machines/halls).

Players: winnings from licensed games, as a rule, are not subject to personal income tax from individuals (but different modes are possible for individual products and in specific situations - check the current rules).

Law enforcement

Lists of unlicensed sites are supported, domains and payments are blocked, fines are applied to operators/partners who violate the terms of advertising or admission.

4) Comparison of Romania and Bulgaria - briefly

Parameter	Romania	Bulgaria
Main regulator	ONJN	NRA
Online products	Casino, poker, betting (under license)	Casino, poker, betting (under license)
B2B-mode	Mandatory Provider Authorization (Class II)	Content/Platform Certification, Registry Inclusion
Responsible play	Limits, reality checks, self-exclusion	Limits, timeouts, self-exclusion
Advertizing	Tight framework and control of creatives/affiliates	Allowed with channel/alert restrictions
Operator taxes (online)	Base - GGR + license fees	Base - GGR (online casino); separate modes for offline
Player taxes	Can be withheld/declared on scale	Usually not taxed by individuals (for licensed games)
Enforcement	Blacklists, ISP/PSP locks, penalties	Blacklists, ISP/PSP locks, penalties

5) What does this mean for the operator

1. License and "substance." Immediately plan local components: legal entity, bank guarantees, reporting, authorization of B2B chains.

2. Technical circuit and audit. Platform and game certification (RNG, logging), integration of reports for regulator formats, incident response plan.

3. Default RG/KYC/AML. Limits, timeouts, panic buttons, problem game monitoring; checking the source of funds at the thresholds.

4. Marketing compliance. Age targeting, transparent T&C bonuses, affiliate control; rejection of "aggressive" mechanics.

5. Finmodel. Calculation of unit economics based on GGR taxes, accounting for license fees and compliance costs; adjustment of RTP/margin/bonuses for local frames.

6) What it means for the player

Play only with licensed brands (check for a national license on the operator's website).

Pass KYC and set limits right away: This is a mandatory standard and the best way to control a bankroll.

Know about self-exclusion: available in both countries, applies to all licensed operators.

Keep a history of transactions (deposits, conclusions, rates) - useful for self-control and in case of tax issues.

Avoid. com sites without a local license - there is no protection or guarantee of payments.

7) FAQ

Is it legal to play online in Romania and Bulgaria?

Yes, when playing with operators with a national license of the corresponding regulator.

What online games are allowed?

Casino slots and tables, poker and sports betting - subject to local license.

Are my winnings taxed?

Retention and/or declaration on a scale is possible in Romania; in Bulgaria, winnings from licensed games from individuals are usually not taxed. Check the current rules before the reporting period.

Can I play with a foreign operator without a local license?

No, it isn't. Such sites are blocked, and the player is left without legal protection.

Romania and Bulgaria are mature national regimes in Eastern Europe with understandable admission of private operators to the online segment, emphasis on responsible play and GGR taxation. For operators, these are markets about compliance discipline, competent economics and long-term work; for players - about legal access, verification, limits and working self-exclusion mechanisms.