The Romanian gaming industry topped an estimated €1 billion last year through nearly 500 gaming operations, the Romanian Gambling Office announced.
The Romanian gaming industry also generated €269 million in tax revenue in 2015, which was 71 percent more than the €157 million generated in 2014. Romania has 488 licensed gambling operators and 19 online gaming companies operating within its borders.
Among the most popular gaming pursuits are betting on football and tennis, instant lottery games, and dog racing, according to SageCharge, an online provider of payment services for several gaming operations.
Regulatory overhauls designed to open the nation’s gaming market to international operators contributed to the improved numbers in 2015.
Romania enacted a three-tier tax system and began licensing new gaming companies in July 2015, giving them permits to operate for 10 years.
Romania also enforced its new regulations by banning several operators from doing business there, including Bet365. Romania published its blacklist of gaming operators, and said Bet365 is among several that, although awaiting licensing approval, initiated gaming operations, anyway.
Some also were banned due to owing back taxes to the Romanian government.
