How to Gamble Online in Romania: The Ultimate Guide for Beginners

Yes, online gambling is fully legal in Romania. The government set up a clear system to regulate gambling in 2015. The National Gambling Office (ONJN) is in charge of licensing and monitoring online casinos. If a site wants to operate legally in Romania, it needs a license from ONJN. This means players based in Romania can legally join licensed gaming lobbies, place sports bets, play slots, or enjoy live dealer games, as long as the site is approved by ONJN.

Not always. There are also international gambling sites that welcome Romanian players. Many of these brands follow strict security standards and offer professional support, fair bonuses, and fast payments. These sites are popular with Romanians who want more choice, extra promotions, or crypto-friendly options.

If you choose an international site, make sure it has a proper license from a trusted jurisdiction (like Malta or Curaçao) and good reviews from Romanian players. Stick to sites with secure payment options, Romanian language settings, and a track record of fair payouts. You don’t need to fear international sites; you just need to pick the right ones.

Yes, if you’re playing on a licensed site. Gambling winnings in Romania are taxed under a progressive system. This means the more you win, the more tax you pay. The tax applies per withdrawal, not per win.

Here’s how it works:

• Wins up to 66,750 RON: taxed at 3%
• Wins between 66,751 RON and 445,000 RON: taxed at 3% + 20% on the amount over 66,750 RON
• Wins over 445,000 RON: taxed at 3% + 20% + 40% on the amount over 445,000 RON

Most ONJN-licensed sites automatically calculate and deduct this tax before sending the money to your account.

If you play on an international site, the tax is not deducted automatically. You are responsible for reporting your winnings to the tax office and paying the amount due. Some Romanian players don’t do this, but the legal obligation still exists.

Online gambling should feel fun, not stressful. If you’re just starting out, it’s easy to get caught up in the excitement. That’s why responsible gambling matters, and it helps you stay in control and avoid spending more than you planned. Here are some good practices and tools that beginners in Romania can use:

• Set a monthly gambling budget:

  Before you even register, decide how much money you’re comfortable losing. Not winning — losing. That amount should never be money you need for bills, rent, or groceries. Gambling should fit into your entertainment budget, like going to the movies or eating out.

• Use time reminders:

  Most licensed sites allow you to set time limits. For example, you can choose to be reminded after 30 or 60 minutes of play. This helps you stay aware of how long you’ve been playing and gives you the chance to take a break.

• Set deposit or loss limits:

  You can choose a maximum amount to deposit per day, week, or month. Some sites also let you limit how much you can lose. Once you hit your limit, the site blocks further deposits or bets until the time resets. This is one of the best tools for beginners.

• Take a break when needed:

  Feeling frustrated? Chasing losses? Most platforms offer “cool-off” periods where you can pause your account for a few days or weeks. During that time, you won’t be able to deposit or play. It’s a good way to reset your mindset.

• Self-exclusion:

  If you think you need a longer break, you can use the self-exclusion option. This means your access will be blocked for a longer period — six months, a year, or more. You can also ask to be added to Romania’s official self-exclusion register, which blocks you from all licensed platforms in the country.

• Seek help if you feel it’s too much:

  There’s no shame in asking for help. You can speak to someone from support groups like Joc Responsabil or reach out to trained counselors. Gambling addiction is real, and help is available.

The legal gambling age in Romania is 18 years old. All licensed sites must check your ID to confirm this. If a site doesn’t ask for verification, it’s likely not following the industry standards. This age limit applies to all types of gambling, including slots, table games, poker, live dealer games, sports betting, and lottery tickets.

Data from the Romanian National Gambling Office shows that the average gambling spend per adult is around €60–€90 per year. That includes both land-based and online gambling. Most people gamble for fun, not for profit, and they keep their spending small and casual.

Online players tend to spend less per session but play more often. A typical online gambler might deposit between 100–300 RON per month, depending on their budget, bonuses, and the type of games they play.

Men gamble more than women in Romania, both online and in physical venues. Around 70% of online players are men, and most of them are between 25 and 45 years old. Women are more likely to play scratch cards, bingo, or casual slots, and many prefer mobile apps for short play sessions. The gap between men and women is slowly closing, especially in online casinos and mobile platforms.

Online gambling is most popular with the 25–40 age group. These players are comfortable with apps, mobile payments, and fast-paced games. They’re also more likely to try out new games like crash games or live dealer tables.

People over 50 still prefer land-based venues and classic slots, although more are now trying online play for convenience. Younger players tend to look for bonuses, tournaments, and interactive games. Older players often stick to what they already know.

• Slots are by far the most popular. Fruit slots, classic 5-reel games, and Book of Ra-style titles dominate. Players love casino spins, wild symbols, and jackpots.
• Sports betting comes next. Football is king, especially local leagues and Champions League matches. Many players bet on mobile apps tied to major sportsbooks.
• Live dealer games are growing fast. Live roulette is the top choice, followed by blackjack and live poker.
• Crash games and instant-win games attract younger players. These are easy to play and fast to load.

If you're gambling online from Romania, you’ll find plenty of bonus offers. Almost every licensed site — whether Romanian or international — offers a welcome bonus when you first sign up. That usually means:

1. A matched deposit bonus (for example, 100% up to 1,000 RON)
2. Casino spins on selected slots
3. Cashback if you lose your first deposit
4. No deposit offers are rare but do exist — usually 20–50 RON or a few free spins

On top of that, many sites offer reload bonuses, weekly tournaments, and loyalty programs to keep you playing.

Often, yes. Many international platforms that accept Romanian players might offer larger welcome packages, more frequent promos, and crypto-specific offers. These brands compete for attention and often give out generous deals, but the wagering requirements might be higher, too. This is not necessarily a rule, but a possibility. Therefore, always read the terms.

Wagering requirements are the number of times you need to bet the bonus (or bonus + deposit) before you can withdraw any winnings. This is the part that trips up most beginners.

For example:

1. You get a 500 RON bonus with a 30x wagering requirement
2. That means you must wager 15,000 RON (500 × 30) before cashing out

If the bonus also includes FS, winnings from those spins usually come with separate wagering terms, often between 20x and 40x.

No. This is very important. For Romania-based players, like for gamblers in many other countries, only certain games count 100% toward wagering. Most of the time:

1. Slots count 100%
2. Live games and table games often count less (10% or even 0%)
3. Crash games or specialty games might be excluded altogether

If you try to clear your bonus by playing roulette or blackjack, it may barely move the needle. Always check the “bonus contribution” table in the bonus terms before you start playing.

If you don’t complete the wagering within the allowed time, your bonus and any winnings from it will disappear. You’ll go back to your real balance, and the rest is lost. For example, if you win 400 RON from a bonus and don’t meet the wagering requirement in time, that 400 RON is wiped from your account. Many Romanian players make this mistake early on — they don’t understand the terms, bet too little or too late, and lose the bonus.

Yes, in most cases you can. If you change your mind or realize you don’t want to meet the wagering terms, go to your account settings and cancel the bonus before you start playing with bonus money. If you’ve already started using the bonus, you may lose any winnings when you cancel it. Some sites even let you contact support to remove the bonus manually.

No. If you try to withdraw before completing the bonus wagering, your bonus and winnings will be cancelled automatically. You’ll only get your original deposit, minus any money you’ve lost. This is one of the most common issues for beginners in Romania, especially when they win early on. It’s tempting to cash out right away, but if you accept a bonus, you must meet the terms first.

Here’s a simple checklist for beginners:

1. Read the full bonus terms before accepting anything.
2. Know the wagering rate (20x, 30x, etc.)
3. Check which games count toward wagering
4. Track your time limit — don’t let the bonus expire
5. Cancel the bonus early if it feels like too much pressure

Bonuses can give you more chances to play, but they come with strings. Treat them as a boost, not free money.

Romanian players have access to a wide range of payment options. Most licensed sites (both local and international) support the most popular tools used in the country:

• Visa and Mastercard — Accepted almost everywhere. Easy and safe.
• Revolut — Very popular for fast deposits and mobile-friendly use.
• Skrill and Neteller — E-wallets trusted by many casino players in Romania. Fast withdrawals.
• Paysafecard — Prepaid card available in shops. Great for safe deposits without linking a bank account.
• Bank transfers — Available on all sites, but usually the slowest option.
• Crypto wallets — Used mostly on international sites that accept Bitcoin, Tether (USDT), Ethereum, and others.

Some Romanian sites also support MobilPay and TopPay, which connect directly to local banks or mobile wallets.

Yes, you can — on most ONJN-licensed platforms. These sites are built for local players, so RON is the default currency for both deposits and withdrawals. That means you avoid currency conversion fees. On international sites, you may be asked to deposit in euros (EUR) or US dollars (USD) instead. In that case, the site will convert your RON balance automatically. Keep in mind that this can result in small exchange fees. If you plan to play often, look for platforms that accept RON or use a Revolut account to reduce exchange costs.

Here’s a rough breakdown for Romanian players:

• Skrill / Neteller / Revolut: 1 to 24 hours
• Crypto wallets: 10 minutes to 1 hour
• Visa / Mastercard: 1–3 working days
• Bank transfers: 2–5 working days

Most sites process withdrawals quickly, but first-time users might need to verify their identity before the money is sent. This is normal and required by law.

Yes. Licensed online operators must follow strict rules and ask you to confirm your identity before your first withdrawal. This helps prevent fraud, money laundering, and underage gambling. You’ll usually need to upload:

• Aphoto of your ID card or passport
• A recent utility bill or bank statement to confirm your address
• Proof of payment method (such as a screenshot of your e-wallet or bank card, with numbers partially hidden)

Once verified, future withdrawals are much faster.

Most sites do not charge extra fees for deposits or withdrawals (surpassing certain withdrawal limits per month may trigger charges). But the payment provider might, especially if you’re converting currencies. Here are some tips to avoid hidden fees:

1. Use RON-based methods when possible
2. Avoid using credit cards with foreign exchange fees
3. Withdraw using the same method you used to deposit
4. Ask support if there’s a minimum withdrawal amount or monthly limit

Some international sites offer free withdrawals once per day or week, but charge a small fee if you request more often.

Romanian players love variety. Most gambling platforms offer hundreds — even thousands — of games. Based on player behavior, these are the most popular choices:

• Slots (classic, video, and jackpot)
• Live dealer games (especially roulette and blackjack)
• Sports betting (especially football, tennis, and e-sports)
• Table games (poker, baccarat, and dice games)
• Crash games and instant-win games (growing among younger players)

Slots take the lead in popularity, especially on mobile. You’ll find games with fruit symbols, Ancient Egypt themes, or ones based on TV shows and mythology. Many players also enjoy games from famous providers like Nolimit City, Pragmatic Play, EGT, and Play’n GO.

If you’re just starting, stick to games that are easy to understand and don’t require strategy.

• Slots are a great place to start. Press “spin,” and you’re in the game. No complex rules. Just pick a game with fun visuals and maybe extra spins or bonuses.
• Crash games (like Aviator) are also simple. You bet and cash out before the curve crashes. Many Romanian players love them because they’re fast and exciting.
• Live roulette is another good option. You choose a number or color and watch the ball spin — no decisions, just luck.

Avoid games like blackjack or poker at first. They’re fun but need more strategy and practice.

Let’s keep this simple:

• RTP (Return to Player) tells you how much a slot pays back over time.
  For example, a slot with 96% RTP will return 96 RON for every 100 RON bet — in the long run. It doesn’t mean you’ll win back 96 RON every time you play.
• Volatility tells you how often and how big a game pays out.
• Low volatility = frequent but small wins
• High volatility = fewer wins, but bigger ones when they happen

Live dealer games are streamed from real studios with real dealers. You can chat with the host, place bets in real time, and feel like you’re inside a real casino — from your phone or computer.

The most popular live games among Romanian players include:

1. European roulette (with Romanian-speaking dealers on some platforms)
2. Blackjack (with many table limits, including low stakes)
3. Live poker and baccarat
4. Game shows like Dream Catcher, Gonzo’s Treasure Hunt, or Mega Wheel

These games are more immersive but may not count fully toward bonus wagering — check the terms if you’re playing with a bonus.

Yes! Most licensed platforms let you play demo versions of slots. These work exactly like the real-money versions but use virtual credits. It’s a good way to test the features, bonus rounds, and volatility before depositing real money.

Yes, but not on every site. Most licensed Romanian sites still focus on traditional payment methods like Visa, Skrill, or Revolut. However, many international sites that accept Romanian players do support crypto payments. You can deposit and withdraw using Bitcoin, Tether (USDT), Ethereum, or other coins, as long as the platform allows it and has a secure crypto system in place.

Romania does not ban the use of crypto, and players can use digital wallets to move funds in and out of gambling accounts. You still have to follow standard rules. That means:

1. Verifying your identity (even if you use crypto)
2. Following tax laws (more on that below)
3. Using platforms that are secure and respected

Crypto payments are becoming more popular with Romanian players who want faster and more flexible payment options. Here’s why some prefer crypto:

• Fast transactions — deposits and withdrawals often take just a few minutes
• No banks involved — no delays from third-party banks
• Crypto-only bonuses — some platforms give special offers to players who deposit in Bitcoin or USDT
• Access to more sites — crypto opens the door to trusted international casinos that might not support local methods

• Price changes — Bitcoin and other coins can go up or down fast. Your winnings today might be worth less tomorrow.
• Learning curve — If you’re new to crypto, managing wallets and transactions may feel confusing at first.
• Less support — Not every platform has full crypto support or live help for technical problems.
• No tax automation — If you win on an international site using crypto, you are responsible for declaring and paying your taxes in Romania. Local sites often handle this for you.

Most beginners start with traditional payment methods like:

• Revolut or bank cards (easy to set up and manage)
• Paysafecard (great for fixed budgets)
• Skrill or Neteller (fast withdrawals, good for regular players)

But advanced players (especially those who want privacy or faster payouts) often switch to crypto wallets once they’re comfortable. If you decide to try crypto, start small. Use trusted exchanges (like Binance or Kraken), always enable two-factor authentication, and make sure the casino you choose has a strong reputation in the Romanian community.

You’ve made it to the end of the guide — that already puts you ahead of many new players. Online gambling in Romania is safe, legal, and packed with options. But starting smart is what makes the difference.

Here’s a quick list to keep in mind before you place your first bet:

• Choose the right platform — Stick to ONJN-licensed sites or trusted international ones with good reviews and real support.
• Know the rules — Especially around bonuses, wagering, and taxes.
• Play with money you can afford to lose — Gambling is for fun, not for fixing your finances.
• Explore slowly — Try demo slots first, learn different game types, and take your time.
• Use your tools — Set limits, track your sessions, and walk away when needed.
• Stay updated — Gambling laws, promotions, and platforms change fast. Follow local gambling news or player communities to stay in the loop.

The Romanian market is one of the most active in Europe, and you’ve got access to everything — from classic slots to crypto casinos, from football betting to live blackjack. There’s no rush, and there’s no secret trick to always winning. The goal is to enjoy the process and stay in control.

So, whether you’re spinning for fun or chasing jackpots, you now know how to do it the smart way — Romanian style.