Romania has introduced a new structure of tiered taxes on customer winnings, in force as of 1 August 2026.
The new package was agreed by the government of Prime Minister Ilie Bolojan in July, as part of a new fiscal programme to address Romania’s current budget deficit.
Romania’s deficit is Central Europe’s highest, standing at 7% of GDP and above the limit set by the European Commission (EC).
Online gaming firms are now subject to higher taxes on gambling winnings under a revised three-tier withholding regime, increasing the state’s share of customer payouts across every tax band.
Winnings of up to RON10,000 (€2,000) are now taxed at 4%, up from 3%. Prizes between RON10,001 (€2,000) and RON66,750 (€13,350) are taxed at RON400 (€80) plus 20% of the amount exceeding RON10,000 (€2,000).
Winnings above RON66,750 (€13,350) are subject to a tax of RON11,750 (€2,350) plus 40% of the amount above the upper threshold.
The revised framework forms part of Bolojan’s first wave of fiscal measures, introduced shortly after taking office in June, as the government seeks to meet commitments agreed with the EC.
Alongside gambling, Bucharest has raised VAT, increased excise duties and tightened taxation across multiple sectors in an effort to strengthen the country’s fiscal position.
Romania eyes toughest restrictions on gambling
The election of Prime Minister Ilie Bolojan and President Nicușor Dan in 2025 has renewed momentum behind a broader overhaul of Romania’s gambling laws and licensing framework.
The reform agenda is backed by the country’s four-party governing coalition, comprising the Social Democratic Party (PSD), National Liberal Party (PNL), Save Romania Union (USR) and the Democratic Alliance of Hungarians in Romania (UDMR).
Among the coalition partners, USR has been the strongest critic of the current regulatory regime and the governance of the National Office for Gambling (ONJN).
The party has repeatedly called for sweeping reforms of the regulator following high-profile audit findings in 2025, arguing that ONJN should be stripped of some of its supervisory responsibilities and subjected to greater institutional oversight.
It did not help the regulator’s reputation when state authorities recently revealed that they are investigating one former and one current ONJN high-ranking official over alleged corruption.
Meanwhile, members of the PSD have continued to advocate tougher consumer protection measures, including proposals to raise the legal gambling age from 18 to 21.
The party argues that stricter controls are needed to address growing concerns over youth gambling participation and gambling-related harm, although the proposal has yet to secure parliamentary approval.