Romania casinos are legal and licensed, and Romania runs one of Europe’s more open gambling markets: land-based casinos, slot halls, sports betting and licensed online casinos are all allowed under the supervision of the National Gambling Office (ONJN). Most full casinos are in Bucharest, often inside large hotels, while gaming halls with slot machines are found in towns across the country. Online, only sites licensed by the ONJN are legal, and the regulator blacklists unlicensed operators.
Romania gambling at a glance
| Item | Status |
|---|---|
| Casinos | Legal, licensed by the ONJN |
| Regulator | Oficiul Național pentru Jocuri de Noroc (ONJN), set up in 2013 |
| Main law | Government Emergency Ordinance 77/2009, amended many times |
| Online casinos and betting | Legal with an ONJN licence; unlicensed sites are blacklisted |
| Online operator tax | 30% of revenue since August 2025 |
| Lottery | State monopoly of Loteria Română |
| Minimum age | 18; a bill to raise it to 21 passed the Senate in February 2026 |
| Last checked | November 2026 |
Where to gamble in Romania
Bucharest has the largest concentration of full casinos, most of them attached to four- and five-star hotels and open late into the night. Outside the capital, casinos are scarcer, but gaming halls, locally called săli de jocuri, are everywhere. These halls offer slot machines, electronic roulette and similar games rather than live tables.
Romanian casinos offer the usual European mix: American and European roulette, blackjack, baccarat (punto banco), three card poker, Caribbean stud, Ultimate Texas Hold’em and live poker, plus banks of slot machines. Bets are made in Romanian lei (RON). Bring photo ID, because casinos check it at the door.
Casino line-ups change as venues open and close, so confirm opening hours and games with the hotel before you go.
The Constanța Casino
Romania’s best-known gambling building is the Constanța Casino, an Art Nouveau landmark on the Black Sea seafront that was inaugurated on August 15, 1910. Gambling there was authorized in 1911 and ran, with breaks during the world wars, until 1948. In 1916 the building was turned into a hospital run by the Red Cross. After decades of decline it was restored between 2020 and 2025 and reopened to visitors in May 2025 as a cultural venue. It is no longer a casino.
How Romania regulates gambling today
Modern Romanian gambling law starts with Government Emergency Ordinance 77/2009, which set the licensing rules for casinos, betting, gaming machines and lotteries. In 2013 the government created the National Gambling Office (ONJN), under Government Emergency Ordinance 20/2013, to license and supervise every operator.
Online casinos and sportsbooks can operate legally only with an ONJN licence, and companies that supply games or platforms need their own licences. The ONJN keeps a blacklist of unlicensed gambling websites, and several well-known international brands are on it.
Romania raised its gambling taxes again from August 1, 2025. Online operators now pay 30% of revenue, land-based fixed-odds betting pays 25%, and the annual tax on each slot machine rose to EUR 6,000. Players also pay tax on winnings, on a sliding scale from 4% up to 40% for the largest wins. Lotteries remain a state monopoly: only the national lottery, Loteria Română, may run them, on land or online.
More changes are coming. In February 2026 the Senate passed a bill to raise the minimum gambling age from 18 to 21, and it went to the Chamber of Deputies for the final vote. Check the ONJN for the current age before you play.
Online gambling and sports betting
Sports betting is one of the most popular forms of gambling in Romania, with football the main draw, and licensed operators run both betting shops and websites. Licensed online casinos offer slots, live dealer tables and poker to players in Romania. Sites without an ONJN licence are illegal to offer in Romania and appear on the regulator’s blacklist.
US readers face the opposite situation: offshore sites that accept US players are not licensed by US state regulators. Our offshore online casino reviews explain what that means before you deposit.
Gambling in nearby countries
For other options in the region, see our guides to Bulgaria, Montenegro and Poland.
Romania casinos FAQ
Is gambling legal in Romania?
Yes. Casinos, gaming halls, sports betting, lotteries and online gambling are legal when the operator holds the right licence. The ONJN regulates everything except the state lottery’s monopoly.
What is the gambling age in Romania?
18, and casinos check photo ID. A bill to raise the age to 21 passed the Senate in February 2026 and was sent to the Chamber of Deputies for the final vote, so check with the ONJN before you play.
Can you play at online casinos in Romania?
Yes, at sites licensed by the ONJN. Unlicensed sites are illegal and appear on the ONJN blacklist.
Where are most casinos in Romania?
In Bucharest, mostly in large hotels. Smaller cities rely more on slot halls than full casinos.
Gamble only with money you can afford to lose. If gambling stops being fun, call or text the National Problem Gambling Helpline at 1-800-MY-RESET.