Here is Delasport’s most recent market analysis report, which examines the Romanian iGaming Market’s current state and how it has grown to be a desirable possibility for the biggest operators and their partners around the globe.

Contents:

Romanian iGaming market statistics
Romanian iGaming market legislation
Romanian gambling taxes
Romanian gambling consumer protection
Preferred casino games in Romania
Preferred sports games in Romania
Final thoughts

Romanian iGaming market statistics

The Romanian iGaming market size is estimated to be 900 million euros GGY, having almost doubled over the last three years. There were 16.79 million internet users in Romania in January 2022 – a penetration rate of 88% of the entire population. Data from GSMA Intelligence shows that there were 27.41 million cellular mobile connections in Romania at the start of 2022, equivalent to 143.7% of the total population. Romania’s number of mobile connections increased by 1m (3.9%) between 2021 and 2022.

Romanian iGaming market legislation

On March 27, 2013, the National Gambling Office (ONJN) was established, and the state promptly authorized it to provide licenses to internet service providers. However, to receive an online license, an operator had to have a physical presence in the country under its initial licensing requirements. Emergency Ordinance No. 92, which was adopted on December 29, 2014, modified the licensing rules such that foreign online gaming enterprises no longer need an offline gambling license to apply for a local license.

Online betting operators were entitled to apply for a license in one of three classes under the current regulatory framework, which went into effect in February 2016. Each class has its own requirements:

Class 1– The Romanian law authorizes the sale of any permitted products on the domestic market, whether it be in physical or digital/online form, so long as the operator wishing to sell it has the required licenses and authorizations. The holders of this license must be B2C businesses.

Class 2– Included in gaming law that is required for all legal organizations working in the traditional and online betting industries, as well as for conformity assessment organizations.

• Companies that must have a class 2 license include:
• Vendors who provide hosting and administration services for the gaming platform;
• Economic operators that handle production, repairs, maintenance and distribution, import, export, intra-community acquisition, intra-community delivery, or other activities with betting, for the purpose of marketing or use, in any form in Romania;
• Conformity assessment bodies.
• Organizations producing and/or distributing software specialized in the field of gambling;
• Marketing affiliates;
• Payment processors;
• Certifiers;
• Auditors;

Class 3 – Only given to the National Romanian Lottery, which has a legal monopoly on all types of lotteries.

Romanian gambling taxes

Tax on GGR is 16% but no less than €100,000 per year. Beginning on January 1, 2019, a monthly tax of 2% of the total monthly participation costs was implemented. The bettor’s deposit is used to pay this tax. More than 15,000 euros in winnings are subject to a 1% tax.

Don’t miss the chance to read our German iGaming Market Report!

Romanian gambling consumer protection

In addition to raising taxes, the new legislative amendments to the Romanian iGaming market seek to enact stricter regulations to guard against gambling addiction and minors engaging in gaming activities.

• Every player has the option to set daily, weekly, and monthly deposit limits, as well as whether wins over a particular amount can be reimbursed in the same way that they were initially deposited.
• Every website must show a clock for players to keep track of how long they’ve been gambling, as well as a balance statement.
• Players can delete their account for at least 24 hours, either on a temporary or permanent basis. If the player wishes to permanently cancel their account, they will be unable to re-register for six months.
• Each player who engages in gambling activities more than once per 12 hours should get an email warning about the potential risks they face. All information should be supplied in Romanian.

Preferred casino games in Romania

The propensity in Romania is based on familiarity because it has a long history of land-based gaming and a strong betting culture. The Romanian iGaming market’s most popular online video slots are those that have their origins in retail-based casino halls and casino sections in sports betting stores. With a market share of approximately 70%, EGT video slots are a global leader. Shining Crown, 100/40 Super Hot, and more well-liked games are available. The fruit theme is popular among Romanian casino patrons, and players are becoming increasingly interested in network-level progressive jackpots to win the largest of the four tiers of Jackpots.

In Live Casino, Romanian players prefer to play Roulette, Blackjack, and gameshows with wheel mechanics.

In Romania, where some of the biggest poker tournaments are held, poker is one of the most played card games. Romanian betting laws also allow players to access a global player pool, in contrast to many other countries where players may only face off against residents of their own nation.

Preferred sports games in Romania

Sports betting has a long history in Romania and has become a major part of the Romanian iGaming market. Football is by far the most popular sport, with Romanian gamblers wagering on leagues including Liga I, Cupa Ligii, and the Romanian Women’s Cup. Romania also has many racing leagues, including Alex Cascatău Motorsport, the Romanian Endurance Series, and others.

Cycling is also popular with Ciclism Romania, Tour of Romania, and many more. Similar to other European nations, handball is a common sport with significant competitions like Liga Nationala. Then there is tennis, which offers a variety of men’s and women’s Grand Slam competitions in addition to ATP 500 series and ATP 250 series competitions.

The 15th World Esports Championship Finals will take place in Iași, Romania in 2023, and the WE Championships will return after last being held in Bucharest 2013.

Final thoughts

Romania’s decision to legalize gambling has been welcomed as a major step forward for a nation that was formerly under communist control. It has made it possible for society to become much more open and free, as well as for there to be a culture that is forward-looking toward new technology and the wealth that online betting can offer to all parties.

Increased job prospects brought about by the expansion of the Romanian iGaming market have attracted young, talented individuals to the iGaming business in a nation that is already seeing tremendous growth in its technological sector. Romania will continue to draw the finest operators to the market and position itself as a significant participant on the global stage because of its rapid expansion and increasing legislative clarity.

The post Romanian iGaming market report – from strength to strength first appeared on Delasport.

Contents:

Current German market numbers
German gambling legislation
The new Interstate Treaty on Gambling
Gambling advertising rules in Germany
German gambling Taxation
Most popular casino games in Germany
Most popular sports to be on in Germany
The future of iGaming in Germany

Current German market numbers

Germany’s iGaming market is predicted to grow to €3.3 billion by 2024, from €2.8 billion in 2021. As a technologically sophisticated country with 58.88 million mobile Internet users (87.4% of the overall population according to Hootsuite), 95.4 % of Internet users aged 16 to 64 possess a smartphone, 83.8% own a laptop or desktop computer, and 52.7% own a tablet, according to the same research. Hootsuite also reports that 78.81 million individuals were frequent Internet users, accounting for 94% of the entire population — a growth of one million compared to the same period in the previous year.

The main interests of German players lie with casino games and online betting. In a study conducted by Goldmedia, 12% of the interviewees played online every day, with 32% playing every week. Betting on Sports events also has a high amount of participation, with 15% of players wagering every day, and 29% every week.

German gambling legislation

In Germany, gambling is overseen by a legal structure made up of state and federal regulations. In 2021, a new interstate treaty was created to allow operators to provide online poker and slots on a federal level (for the first time). At the time, Sports betting was already available. This meant that a common legal framework could be placed for betting across Germany, with the government having the power to exact stricter regulations if necessary.

The new Interstate Treaty on Gambling

Taking effect on July 1, 2021, the new Interstate Treaty on Gambling (ISTG 21) incorporated significant changes to the regulation. For instance, online gambling was previously restricted to the northern state of Schleswig-Holstein but is now likely to be legalized across the rest of Germany, giving operators the possibility to access new licenses.

The new regulations are not without their stipulations. For instance, the way taxes and advertising are going to be handled will be stricter, plus there will be more control around betting and deposit limits. Here are some of the other new rules:

• Casino operators must have a registered office in the EU or EEA
• Operator websites must have a German-language version, including all essential information being in German
• Players must create an account that will be used to play on platforms by different providers
• A cool-down button with each operator having a clearly labeled opt-out option that puts players in a 24-hour exclusion period
• No auto-play in virtual slots, all games lasting at least five seconds
• Monthly deposits on websites are limited to €1,000 per player across all operators
• Stakes for virtual slots are limited to €1 per game
• Online gambling ads cannot be shown between 6 am and 9 pm
• Live betting is no longer allowed.
• Poker players must be randomly assigned to a virtual table
• The German regulator only allows a bonus of a max of €100 per year. Only a maximum of 10% of a bet’s stake can be covered by the bonus.

Gambling advertising rules in Germany

While advertisements are allowed, there are several rules to follow in the German iGaming market:

• Advertising on telecommunication systems is prohibited (exceptions apply).
• Advertising must not be excessive.
• Advertising must not be pointed at vulnerable target groups or minors
• Games of chance must not be presented as a solution to financial problems.
• Online and radio advertising of online poker, casino games, and slots cannot be shown between 6 AM and 9 PM
• Advertising betting on sports for a particular event directly before or during the live broadcast of the event is prohibited
• Advertising for sports betting with officials or active athletes is prohibited.
• In sports facilities, advertising for games of chance is only permitted in the form of umbrella branding advertising on jerseys, boards, and similar advertising media.

German gambling Taxation

The tax rate for online sports gambling, horse race betting, online slots, and poker activities is 5.3% of turnover. Online casino games are now liable for 19% VAT in Germany, according to amendments to the VAT legislation that took effect on January 1, 2015, regardless of whether they are operating illegally in the nation.

Most popular casino games in Germany

With games like Mystery Joker, All Ways Joker, and Fire Joker, Casino players in the German iGaming market are fans of the Joker motif. Book of Dead is a very popular video slot that has had a lot of momentum in the industry for numerous years. Slot machines, as in most other nations, are the most popular, although table games like Blackjack and Roulette are also well-liked. Many operators are producing their own takes on the classics, focusing on high-quality visuals, gamification, and sophisticated playing mechanics.

Most popular sports to bet on in Germany

As with most European countries, football is by far the most popular sport in the German iGaming market. As a result, it’s no surprise that the sport is well-represented on betting sites catering to German customers. From the Bundesliga to the Premier League, La Liga, Serie A, and others, all of Europe’s top leagues are available. Domestic cup tournaments like the DFB-Pokal, as well as European competitions like the Europa League and Champions League, are also widely covered.

Handball is also one of Germany’s most popular sports, so it stands to reason that betting sites are including it in their offering. With competitions in Denmark, Norway, Romania, and other countries, the Bundesliga, DHB Pokal, and Super Cup are among the most well-known national-level handball events.

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Amongst the German iGaming market, the rising popularity of Esports in Europe is evident. CS:GO is currently one of the most popular games to bet on, and almost every major sportsbook now includes an Esports section. From the world’s top tournaments, such as the major championships, to lower-level leagues, everything is covered.

Other popular sports to bet on include Tennis, boxing, golf, racing, MMA, and athletics. Table tennis, snooker, badminton, and darts are also prolific. Horseracing is a significant business, but coverage is still uneven owing to licensing concerns

The future of iGaming in Germany

After the United Kingdom and ahead of Italy, the German iGaming market is the second largest in Europe. Local providers like as Tipico and overseas players such as bet365 have already entered the industry. The size of the German iGaming market is predicted to expand by around 10% year over year. Because there are still areas of ambiguity, operators, and software providers are waiting for the full regulatory process to be finished.

In the German iGaming market, selecting the proper technology partner is critical since regulatory requirements are complex and demand substantial development effort. Delasport’s sports betting and online casino solutions comply entirely with iGaming German regulations, and the business already sells its software to market partners.

The post German iGaming market report: Major strengths and characteristics first appeared on Delasport.