Romanian regulator pledges to "eradicate black market"
National Gambling Office of Romania outlines detailed plans for how regulatory framework will operate in country
Romania’s National Gambling Office (NGO) said it will “eradicate the black market” with plans including domain and payment blocking in a letter sent to the industry clarifying its soon-to-be implemented regulatory framework.
In an introductory note to a 41-point letter released by the regulator in response to questions from operators and industry stakeholders, president of the NGO Cristinela Odeta Nestor said the regulator would do everything it can to curb black market operators.
“We will use all our tools and knowledge in order to completely eradicate the black market and offer a fair environment for all the [operators] that are legally operating in Romania,” she said.
“This includes payment blocking, marketing and affiliation blocking, domain blocking and blacklisting in addition to the restrictions imposed to software providers.”
The regulator also reaffirmed the strict back tax requirements which operators must comply with if they wish to apply for a licence, which are set to be issued on 31 December.
Operators must pay 20% of revenues derived from Romania since 26 December 2010, after the country’s government voted in favour of an amendment to its Gambling Act last month.
The regulator stressed bonuses were not deductible, and a thorough audit must be provided which breaks down revenues by year and by vertical.
It also confirmed there would be no extensions to the 90-day amnesty offered and proceedings against black market operators would commence at the end of the 90-day period.
“We strongly believe that our goal to have one of the best legal frameworks for online gambling in Europe was achieved,” Nestor said.
“[It will provide] us with all necessary control and supervising tools that will allow us to eliminate the black market and offer a competitive and fair market for the ones that choose to pay taxes and benefit from our market,” she added.
Last week William Hill withdrew from the Romanian online gambling market due to what the company described as “recent regulatory developments”.