Swedish provider of solutions for the international online casino industry NetEnt AB announced today that it has been granted gaming licenses from the Romanian online gambling regulator.
The licenses NetEnt has obtained were Class 2 ones. Generally speaking, this type of licenses covers the production and the distribution of casino gaming software and management and hosting of online gaming facilities.
NetEnt has formerly said that expansion in regulated European and non-European markets has always been one of its main goals. Currently, the major provider of iGaming content holds certifications and licenses in several European markets, with those being the result from years of considerable investment in technology in a bid for the company to adapt its offering to the needs and demands of regulated markets.
NetEnt has also recently expanded its presence in the US online gambling market. Internet gaming options are currently provided in three US states only, with those being New Jersey, Nevada, and Delaware. Over the past several months, NetEnt has secured partnerships with several of New Jersey’s biggest land-based gambling venues that are also offering iGaming services to residents of the state. Content by the Swedish developer and supplier has already gone live in New Jersey.
Romania opened its online gambling market for international operators and service providers in 2015 after the government approved the proposed Government Emergency Ordinance 92/2014, known to have become the country’s regulation regarding the provision of both Internet and land-based gaming options.
The new law presented a remodelled licensing system, giving foreign online gaming companies the chance to obtain licenses for the provision of various services within the country’s borders for certain periods of time.
By opening its market to Europe-facing operators and service providers, Romanian lawmakers hoped that additional much-needed tax revenue would enter the country’s coffers. The newly adopted regulation eliminated the former 25% universal gaming tax collected out of gross winnings.
A new retroactive one was applied instead. In general, operators are required to pay tax revenue based on the gross gaming revenue generated by local gambling customers. The measure was very similar to one introduced in Spain in 2012. Romanian officials have pointed out that the new tax would result in more than €100 million being contributed in tax revenue every year.
