In this piece, we’re diving deep into the gambling scene in Romania. We’ll chew the fat about the top online casinos welcoming Romanian players and give you the lowdown on how we pick the best joints. We’ll also delve into the rich history of gambling in the country and talk shop about how it’s regulated. Let’s also not forget to shed some light on the payment methods Romanian players typically use, and the different kinds of bonuses up for grabs at online casinos. And of course, we’ll touch on Romania’s brick-and-mortar casinos and give a shout out to the most popular national lotteries.
Best Online Casinos For Romanian People
Online casinos? Totally legit in Romania. The country boasts its own gambling commission, ONJN, that’s gotten a name for itself even beyond Romanian borders.
So, Romanian players have got the whole shebang of online casinos at their fingertips. Some of these operate under a local license, while others roll with offshore gambling commissions. We’ll get into the nitty-gritty of how to choose a top-notch casino later in the article. But for now, feast your eyes on our list of the best online casinos available for Romanian players:
Gambling in its various forms has been around the Romanian block for quite some time. In fact, the first lotteries made their debut way back in the early 20th century, around 1906, to be precise. That’s when the Lottery Romana hit the scene and became a big hit nationwide. But, for most of the 20th century, the gambling scene was under wraps in Romania. The tide turned in the early 90s, following the downfall of Nicolae Ceaușescu.
1992 saw the creation of Romania’s Gaming Commission, which took the reins of regulating and licensing land-based gaming operators. That’s also when the first official in-person casinos began to pop up.
Fast forward to 1998, and the “Gambling Regulation Act” dropped, laying down the law on licensing rules and gambling operations. This was beefed up a year later with new rules outlining requirements for various gambling houses and casinos.
2003 was another big year – betting shops got the green light, and there was a big push to boost the investment climate. Romania opened its doors to foreign investments for setting up casinos and betting shops.
When it comes to online casinos, there were rumblings about making it all legit as early as 2008. Loads of international operators set up shop in Romania, but they were technically operating in the gray area. The government didn’t put the kibosh on their operations and tried to pull them into the legitimate sphere but to no avail. Being a part of the EU meant that Romania had to craft laws in sync with EU regulations.
Bills from 2009 to 2011 didn’t quite cut the mustard with EU requirements, so online casinos were in legal limbo. All that changed around 2015 when the ONJN was established, and a legal framework that ticked all the EU boxes was set up. Since then, most online casinos have been on the up-and-up in Romania.
Legality and regulation of gambling
Right now in Romania, pretty much every type of gambling’s on the table, be it bricks-and-mortar or digital. You can roughly break down the gambling scene into a few chunks:
Slot machines and table games you can actually touch.
Sports betting (both the old-school type and online).
National and European lotteries.
Digital casino action.
Now, for each type of gamble, you gotta have a license – and they’re only good for a set time. The big shots at the National Gambling Office in Romania (or, if you wanna get fancy, “Oficiul Național pentru Jocuri de Noroc”, ONJN) are the ones running this show. Here are the main licenses they hand out:
License to run physical gaming spots – valid for a decade. The price tag depends on how swanky your joint is. Casinos are coughing up €20,000 annually, while poker clubs owe €15,000.
License for the online casino business – also a 10-year deal. Depending on how fat the casino’s wallet is, they’re paying between €60,000 and €120,000 every year.
Gaming operators’ license – this is for the tech wizards making software and games for casinos.
Choosing the best online casinos in Romania
Now, let’s chat about some key stuff to keep in mind when picking an online casino. First off, check if they’ve got a legit and up-to-date license. And don’t forget to see what real players are saying about them. Then, look for solid payment options and the kind of freebies they offer. Lastly, make sure their customer service is top-notch and that their site isn’t a mess on your phone. We’ll dive into these in a hot second.
Legality and Safety
Before signing up anywhere, see who’s backing their license. In Romania, ONJN’s the boss. If you’re more into offshore vibes, the big leagues are MGA and Curacao.
User Feedback
Reviews are your best pals. If a casino’s getting dragged in the comments, best to steer clear. See how quick they are to sort issues out and if they play nice with players. Check out hotspots like supercazino.ro or cazinouri.info for the scoop.
Bonuses & Promotions
Romania’s got a ton of big-name casinos, each with its own deal to lure you in. We’re all about highlighting those who roll out the red carpet for both the newbies and the regulars.
Payment Systems
No sweat using bank cards for deposits in Romanian casinos. But hey, some folks dig e-wallets, prepaid cards, or even crypto. A wide range of payment methods is a big win – it means there’s something for everyone. We’ll spill more on this later.
Customer Service
24/7 customer support is pretty much the gold standard in the biz these days. You can hit them up via email or use the real-time chat feature. A cherry on top is the multilingual support. The best online casinos have reps who can shoot the breeze in both English and Romanian.
Mobile Adaptation
A lot of Romanian punters are all about gaming on the go. So, a top-notch mobile experience is crucial. The best casinos make sure their site is snappy whether you’re on a PC or a smartphone. So, you can spin the reels or play a hand of cards without a hitch, no matter the device.
Bonuses and promotions for Romanian players
Let’s get into the juicy stuff – the kind of bonuses available for the Romanian crew. Right off the bat, after signing up, you’re looking at a beefy welcome package to boost your bankroll. Once you’ve blown through that, there’s a ton more waiting for you – weekly reloads, cashback systems, races and tourneys, and dope loyalty programs where climbing the ranks means raking in the rewards. Let’s dive deeper into each bonus type.
Welcome Bonus
The welcome bonus is like your starter pack, ready and waiting for all newbies. It might include some free spins, or a match on your deposit – or sometimes, a killer combo of both, spread over several deposits. For instance, at Fairspin Casino, new players can snag these deals:
First deposit: 100% match and 30 free spins
Second deposit: 75% match and 30 free spins
Third deposit: 75% match and 30 free spins
Fourth deposit: Whopping 200% match and 50 freebies
Regular Player Bonuses
For those in for the long haul, there’s a separate rewards scheme that kicks in after the welcome goodies. Most casinos have some standard deals, and we’ll break them down using Mr.Bit Casino as an example.
Weekend Bonus: On weekends, you can bag up to 90 spins. Deposit on Friday, Saturday, or Sunday and get 30 spins a pop.
Monday Reload: The classic weekly top-up. Every Monday, you get an extra 33% on your deposit.
VIP System: A tiered program with 23 levels. The more you play, the higher you climb, and the sweeter the rewards. Level 1 gets you 10 spins, but make it to level 23, and you’re looking at 50 spins worth €2 each, a cool €500 cash bonus, and a 13% cashback.
Races and Tournaments
Tournaments are a special treat, letting you earn extra rewards by playing your fave slots. Some are open to all, while others are reserved for the high rollers who’ve earned their stripes in the loyalty program.
Sports betting in Romania
Sports betting’s been a thing in Romania for over 20 years. But, initially, only brick-and-mortar joints were on the up and up. Until 2008, online sports betting was kind of in the shadows, with the government turning a blind eye. But after that, it’s been all legal, open for any adult Romanian to dive in. Thanks to this legal green light, betting’s become a hot ticket in Romania. Both local sites and big-name international bookies are throwing their hats in the ring. The big dogs in the scene? Think SuperBet, Parimatch, FavBet, Stake, Winner, and loads more.
Now, sports betting’s craze stems directly from a mad love for sports. In Romania, team sports that are a thrill to watch are all the rage. Here’s a quick rundown of the top faves:
Football (Soccer for our American pals) – No shocker here; it’s the king of sports. Romania’s got some killer talent, having flexed muscles in major championships. For instance, in ’86, Steaua București clinched the European Cup, being the first Eastern European squad to bag it.
Handball – Kinda like football, but you’re throwing with your hands. Romania’s a powerhouse in this world. They’ve snatched 4 world titles in ’61, ’64, ’70, and ’74. They’ve cooled off a bit since, but they’re still heavy hitters.
Basketball – Super hot among Romanian youngsters. With several men’s and women’s leagues, the country’s churning out ballers. One to watch? George Mureșan, who’s recently made the leap to the NBA.
Volleyball – Another hit with the youth. Structurally, it’s pretty much like basketball. They’ve got both men’s and women’s leagues, and the national squad’s always in the mix in global competitions. They’ve bagged a bunch of medals from ’50 to ’60, and as of 2010, made a run to the quarterfinals of the European Championship.
Gymnastics – It’s the top dog in Romania when we talk individual sports. Historically celebrated, made hotter by legends like Nadia Comăneci. She’s the OG, scoring the first perfect 10 in the 1976 Summer Olympics.
Convenient payment systems
Since online casinos are legit in Romania, locals have no sweat depositing with bank cards. But, not everyone’s keen on spilling their bank deets. That’s where various bank payment services, e-wallets, prepaid card services, and other online casino top-up methods step in. We’ll dive deeper into the most kickass payment systems next.
VISA/MasterCard
It’s no secret that the quickest and easiest way to top up your online casino account is to whip out your card. Just punch in the card number and the security code, decide on the amount, and boom! In a few minutes, your funds are good to go. Cashing out, though? That’s another story. Depending on your bank, it might take anywhere from a few hours to a couple of days.
Bank transfer
This method might seem old-school, but some folks still swear by it. The go-to service for this in Romania is SEPA. One big plus? You don’t have to spill your bank details. But on the downside, some banks might slap you with hefty fees, and the whole process can drag on forever.
E-wallets
E-wallets are all the rage in Romania. You’ve got a ton of options, including Skrill, BitPay, Neteller, PayPal, PaySera – you name it. They’re popular for a reason: setting up an account is a breeze, and once you’ve loaded up, you can spend or play as you please.
Prepaid Card Services
Another handy alternative to e-wallets. The big selling point here is that you can keep a tight leash on your spending. With services like PaySafeCard and HyperWallet, you buy a digital card loaded with cash, then use it to shop or play online. Fast, simple, and rock-solid. No wonder Romanian players are all over these services.
Cryptocurrencies
The new kid on the block when it comes to topping up your casino or bookie account. Just buy your crypto, send it over to your casino account, and in a flash, you’re in the game. Cashing out? Just as smooth.
NOTIFY Crypto is totally legit in Romania. You can buy, sell, and oh yeah – the taxman will want his 10% cut on any profit over $150. The government’s keen on keeping a close eye, though, mostly to clamp down on money laundering and shady financing stuff.
According to the EU’s 5AMLD directive and Romania’s “Emergency Ordinance” (GEO), every crypto service provider (like exchanges) needs to register with the Romanian government and spill the beans on any fishy business.
Popular gambling providers in Romania
Romania’s got some heavy-hitter developers with years of experience and killer teams. The ones that stay ahead of the curve, tuning into players’ vibes and the latest casino world buzz? They’re the real MVPs. Let’s dive into a shortlist of the hottest providers around.
EGT Interactive
This Bulgarian bad boy started off catering to brick-and-mortar casinos. Over time, they didn’t just whip up online versions of their ground-based hits, but also rolled out a ton of cool new games. As a result, they not only kept their original fanbase happy but also won the hearts of online gamblers.
Playtech
The granddaddy of game providers, with a whopping portfolio of over 600 games, including not just online slots, but also table/card games, scratch-offs, and even live dealer sessions. With that kind of variety, it’s no wonder Romanian players gave them a big thumbs up.
Pragmatic Play
This one’s a no-brainer. Any online casino regular knows their stuff and keeps coming back for more. Killer graphics, sleek designs, and some dope game mechanics – that’s what top-notch gaming’s all about.
GreenTube
Another old-timer, in the game since ’98. Like many other providers, they transitioned from ground-based to online, and a lot of their classics have a special place in the hearts of Romanian players. The result? A solid rep and mad popularity.
Relax Gaming
These guys boast some of the sickest bonus games out there. Their game lineup might not be massive, but good luck finding two of their slots that are twinsies. They go by the “quality over quantity” mantra and have nailed support from Romanian players and folks worldwide.
Land-based casinos in Romania
Like most other gambling gigs, land-based gambling is totally legit in Romania. There’s a mix of big-shot casinos and smaller joints. Shoutout to the numerous poker rooms, where both newbies and poker sharks hang out. All these spots are backed by the Romanian ONJN, so no worries about game integrity or service quality. Let’s deep dive into some of the heavy hitters.
Palace Casino – Situated in the Romanian capital, Bucharest. This joint is housed in a historic building, dating back to 1821, once owned by the Vernescu dynasty. Running smoothly since ’95, it’s the crème de la crème of Romanian casinos. Their game lineup isn’t the biggest, but it still packs around 100 slot machines and 5 tables for various table games. There’s also a separate poker room, ready to deal some Texas Hold’em and Omaha.
Besides the gambling, the venue also has a swanky hotel, a couple of posh restaurants, a currency exchange spot, and an exclusive VIP service for the big fish. The latter includes, among other perks, a personal chauffeur and valet service.
Grand Casino Bucharest – This joint’s the biggest casino in Romania, right smack in the middle of Bucharest. Been kicking since 2001 and it’s seriously top-shelf. It’s got a bit more to offer than the last spot we talked about: around 160 slot machines from all the big names like EGT, IGT, AGI, and whatnot, and over 20 tables for all your classics – roulette, poker, blackjack, punto banco. Plus, there’s a cozy poker room that’s always buzzing, hosting both cash games and tourneys. But it ain’t just about the gamble – the place boasts SPA clubs, a gym, a bunch of international cuisine joints, and shops that’ll get you dripped in some fancy threads and bling.
Lotteries and other gambling entertainment in Romania
As we’ve mentioned, lotteries are like the OG of gambling here. Been around since 1906 with a few breaks in between. The big player in the game? Loteria Romana. Hop on their official site and you’ll see a slew of different lottery options. Let’s dive deep into a couple of the crowd-pleasers.
Loto 6/49 – This is Romania’s biggest lottery gig. A ticket will set you back 25.20 RON for three lines. Draws happen every Thursday and Sunday at 6:15 pm local time. After getting your ticket, pick 6 numbers between 1 and 49. You can also bulk buy and up your chances. The jackpot starts at a cool 1 million RON and keeps growing until someone hits it big. The fattest jackpot? 48.9 million RON, snagged in July 2013. There’s four prize tiers here – more matches, bigger bucks.
Prize category
Number of matches
Estimated payment
1
6
>1 000 000 RON
2
5
10 500 RON
3
4
252 RON
4
3
30 RON
Joker – A twist on the classic lottery, with loads of prize spots. Buy your ticket, then pick 2 sets of numbers: 5 (or more) from 1 to 45 and a single digit between 1 and 20. The draw starts by pulling 5 main numbers plus a bonus ball, dubbed the Joker. Draws go down every Thursday and Sunday. In total, there are 8 prize categories.
Prize category
Number of matches
Estimated payment
1
5 + Joker
>200 000 RON
2
5
>38 500 RON
3
4 + Joker
>38 500 RON
4
4
1936 RON
5
3 + Joker
440 RON
6
3
59 RON
7
2 + Joker
27 RON
8
1 + Joker
13 RON
Another big hitter in Romania’s gambling scene is poker. You can legally dive into the game both in brick-and-mortar casinos and online. When it comes to online poker rooms welcoming Romanian players, the heavy hitters are 888poker, PokerStars, and GGpokerok.
Reliability and safety of online casinos in Romania
A big plus for keeping things legit and above board is the presence of the ONJN gaming commission. This ain’t just some rubber-stamp outfit. They hand out the licenses to online casinos operating in Romania and keep a sharp eye on them. As a result, it’s super rare for a licensed online casino to pull a fast one on players. But if they try any funny business, you can always snitch directly to the watchdog. Hit them up through their website – onjn.gov.ro, give ’em a buzz on the phone, or drop them an email.
Conclusion
Romania’s a dope place with chill gambling laws. Pretty much all kinds of gambling thrills are legit here. From brick-and-mortar casinos and sports betting joints to online casinos and poker rooms. Thanks to the ONJN gaming commission, there’s a solid level of trust in the house. The booming e-commerce scene also makes it a breeze to cash in and cash out.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are land-based casinos legal in Romania?
Yes, land-based casinos have been fully legal since 1991. During this time, a large number of establishments of various sizes have opened in the country.
What is the situation with sports betting in Romania?
Sports betting is allowed in both land-based and online formats. Local bookmakers are licensed.
Are online casinos legal in Romania?
Like other forms of gambling, online casinos in Romania are fully legal and licensed by the local authority ONJN.
Do Romanian online casinos have a license?
Most online casinos in Romania operate under the local ONJN license. But some prefer to operate under foreign commissions, such as MGA or Curacao.
Can I play poker in Romania?
You can, both in land-based format (in various casinos and poker rooms) and in online format.
Hello, My name is Nick, and I represent the BtagMaster Affiliate program. We’re now seeking for new traffic.
Given that it has over 20 casino brands, including IamSloty, it would be fantastic to discuss the possibility of marketing it on your website. What do we offer: – A revenue share % deal with no negative carryover; – no deposit bonus or exclusive bonus only for your website; – testimonial backlink; etc.
We’re interested in providing audience the best experience, sweet bonuses & promotions program.
That would be great to discuss the possibility to promote it on your website.
23.01.2022 | Date updated: 17 July 2024
1