“We have regulated the online game market, so that they may operate and pay taxes in Romania,” said Finance Ministry state secretary Bogdan Dragoi.
According to the decision approved by the Government, gaming fans may now place online bets with Romanian companies. Romanian law currently neither allows, nor bans trans-border online games, but used to forbid Romania-registered companies from organizing online games.
The new rules allow gambling to be organized in Romania by phone or through the Internet. Such companies are required to pay the state 10% of their earnings, but no less than 400,000 lei (EUR93,000), if they run a bingo game, or 5% of their earnings, but no less than RON250,000, if they take bets.
Other forms of gambling are subject to a tax of 1.5% of the earnings, but no less than RON400,000.
The act also says bingo games held online or via phone must award at least 60% and a maximum of 80% of their gross receipts, with the exception of games awarding special prizes, where only the minimum level shall apply.
The European Commission had sent the Government a document concerning the draft decision on gambling, which points out that requiring game operators to be registered as Romanian firms with headquarters in the country is a serious violation of community norms.
Dragoi said the decision keeps this requirement, despite the Commission’s warning, because the Government is interested in monitoring game operators to prevent money laundering and other forms of tax evasion.