Romania introduces 0.5% levy for cultural project funding

Romania has imposed a new 0.5% levy on the gambling industry to support and develop cultural projects in the country.

The 0.5% contribution, which will be paid to the Romanian National Cultural Fund, was bolted on to existing Romanian regulation for the financing of cultural projects.

The new tax applies to revenue obtained by both land-based and online firms.

Industry firms have already began calculating, paying and declaring contributions to the fund, with the first deadline being 25 December 2022 for the month of November.

However, there are some issues with the amendment that require more clarity, including determining the revenue against which the levy is calculated and whether the tax applies solely to operators or if it involves suppliers too.

The amendment places the levy requirement to “economic operators in the field of gambling” without distinguishing between operators and suppliers.

Additionally, the new legislation does not state whether the revenue from which the contribution is set against is from Romania-only revenue or total group revenue.

Speaking to EGR, a spokesperson for Romanian retail and online operator Superbet said: “Our position is that Superbet is and will continue to be fully compliant with regulations.

“We maintain an open dialogue with authorities and industry associations and we are currently waiting for the methodological norms for this new tax.”

The authorisation tax for regulated online gambling operators serving Romania recently increased from 16% to 23% of GGR.