Romania's new prime minister faces three tests in the gambling sector

Romania has chosen a new prime minister after a five-month political deadlock and three failed attempts to form a government. Lula Niculescu, nominated by President Nicusor Dan, is taking office. Rival parties PSD and PNL have agreed on a six-month temporary truce to get the 2027 budget passed.

The budget deficit target has been set at 5.2% of gross domestic product. To finance this target, all sectors are under consideration, including gambling. However, the regulator ONJN is going through a difficult period, and Niculescu needs to fix this situation before bringing the sector into play.

Law 141/2025 raised taxes on player winnings. Payments up to 10,000 RON are taxed at 4%, payments between 10,000 and 66,750 RON at 20%, and payments above 66,750 RON at 40%. The online gambling licence tax rose from 21% to 30% of gross gaming revenue. The minimum annual online licence fee increased from 400,000 euros to 480,000 euros. Fixed-odds betting and gaming machine taxes were also increased.

It is unclear whether operators with higher costs, especially small businesses and physical venues, can absorb another increase. The key question is whether the government really needs new taxes, or whether collecting existing debts would be enough.

ONJN has been in a negative spotlight since 2025, when an independent audit found roughly 1 billion euros in unpaid taxes. That development led to the resignation of then-president Gheorge Gheorge. Soare, who took over in April 2025, was dismissed in August and replaced by Tomescu.