Top 8 Best Betting Sites in Romania

Created by potrace 1.10, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2011
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Where can we bet securely and which are the leading bookmakers in Romania?

If you are looking for a reliable online betting website, the table below shows our recommendations for Romanian customers. All of them have strong positions in the gambling world and will not disappoint you.

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Best Betting Sites in Romania Ranked


Introduction

Betting in Romania has a long checkered past, but is now fully legal and regulated. Punters can enjoy a full range of online betting and can benefit from the highly competitive market for vendors, who are constantly trying to offer the best services and best odds, in an attempt to win more customers.

Interesting Facts about Betting in Romania

  • In Romania, there are 18,300 churches, but there are over 30,000 gaming venues.
  • The gambling market in the country is worth over €1.2 billion annually.
  • One of the earliest forms of gambling in Romania was dice games when Roman soldiers occupied the country.
  • The first form of gambling that was legalized, the national lottery, was used to fund social programs for education and health.
  • Poker, football betting and slot machines are the most common forms of gambling in the country.
  • 1.5 million people are believed to gamble regularly on slot machines alone.

Gambling Legislation and Laws

Gambling has been around in Romania for centuries but has only been regulated somewhat recently. With the reintroduction of a democratic government after communist rule, Romania legalized all forms of gambling in physical spaces.

The Romanian government only technically legalized online gambling in 2010, prior to that it occupied a somewhat grey area. Now, all companies that obtain licenses can operate within the Romanian market, and punters can use them to play. Because Romania is part of the EU, they are required to open their market up to international betting companies, which gives the betting population more variety, but also limits the control that the Romanian government has over online betting activities.

Top online betting websites in Romania

The Romanian online betting market continues to grow exponentially, as new companies obtain licenses and more punters become interested in the pastime. Here are some of the larger, more reputable sites that are available for punters in Romania:

#1 Betano

The company Betano is a successful betting site that has been growing in popularity in recent years. One of the main draws of the site is that it offers highly competitive odds and very interesting promotions for both the sports bettors and the casino fans. The diverse range of betting options also deserves the attention of the Romanian players. They are dedicated to ensuring customers have the most enjoyable time and offer live streaming on all of their main events.

homepage of betano

Visit Betano

#2 Mr Bit

Founded in 2018, Mr Bit is one of the leading online betting sites for Romanian customers. The platform supports both sports betting and casino game options. Mr.Bit is known for its various bonuses and excellent customer support. Also, the brand has a live betting section where punters can follow the matches live and receive great odds and features.

homepage of mr bit

Visit Mr Bit

#3 22bet

One of the most recognizable brands in the world – 22Bet is another relatively new betting site (it was only established in 2017). However, they are quickly gaining a large following all over the world. The site was developed by people who were already working in the industry, and know exactly what customers want and need in order to have a great betting experience. The site offers both sporting and casino betting in one place and has been designed for ease of use.

homepage of 22bet

Visit 22BET

Competition between Operators

Offline, there is no monopoly for betting providers. The country is relatively relaxed in its laws and provided people to pay the necessary taxes and licensing fees. Anyone can offer gambling services. This is evident in the tens of thousands of different betting venues all around the country, owned and operated by different people and companies.

Online, there is no monopoly in effect, due to the fact that the EU demands that all countries open up to international companies. This ruling has affected a number of betting markets, not just Romania’s. Although this means that the Romanian government has slightly less control over the safety of punters, it also means that bettors have a far wider variety and choice when it comes to finding betting sites, and the specific types of betting they are interested in.

Bonuses from Romanian Bookmakers

Because there is such a high level of competition within the Romanian market, one of the ways that companies attempt to stand out is by offering a number of great bonuses and promotions. Bettors will be encouraged to sign up to sites with offers of extravagant welcome bonuses, given to new customers as soon as they make an account, or when they make their first deposit. These welcome bonuses initially look incredibly good – they are often around the value of €100 or €200, but punters should also be aware that they generally come with strict wagering requirements, which can somewhat limit the winnings that can be gained from them unless you are incredibly lucky.

Aside from welcome promotions, there are also a number of different bonuses for existing customers, in order to encourage continued playing. These bonuses are generally far more varied and diverse in comparison to the welcome bonuses (which are similar no matter what site you choose to sign up with). Customers can receive higher odds on certain matches, free spins on certain slot machines, even free cars or holidays, just for betting on a certain event. These kinds of promotions are also often changing, so punters should frequently look at the new promotions that are available, in case there is something they might benefit from.

Betting Features and Options in the Romanian Bookmakers

Romanian bookmakers are always updating their sites in order to provide the latest features to punters, in order to improve their betting experience. Some of the most popular and handy features include:

Live Betting
This allows users to continue to bet on an event even once it has begun. This means that punters can see how an event progresses, and make bets based on what is happening, using odds that are changing in real-time.

Live Streaming
Many sites will offer live streaming services on their biggest sporting events so that punters can watch the match through the site. This is especially helpful for events that are not televised in the country and would be otherwise unwatchable. Most sites require a bet on the event in order to unlock the streaming services, but this should not be an issue for those who were going to bet anyway.

Live Casino
The live casino feature is designed to mimic the experience of being in a real casino. Punters can play games against other players in real-time. This adds a social element back into online betting, and customers can communicate with other players from around the world.

Geolocation
Many sites now will use geolocation services that mean that local betting opportunities are advertised, even though they might not be the biggest events. Punters do not have to search through all of the events available to find the one that they want, rather it is one of the ones that comes up first, even though globally it might not be so popular.

Cash Out
This is an option that allows users to exit a bet early if they believe that they might lose. Punters can cash out their bet, taking winnings based on odds at that moment, regardless of the final outcome of the bet. This is not a method of withdrawing money from the site, simply from leaving a bet before the event is over.

Bet Builder
This feature has a number of different names depending on the site that is offering it, but it is essentially the same concept. Punters can combine a number of different bets, increasing their odds for each, and if all of the bets are successful, they win more than if they had placed individual bets. This chance of increased winnings does come with increased risk though – if one of the bests is unsuccessful, the whole bet builder is. But this increased risk is what makes it so exciting for a number of players.

Available Payment Methods

Romanian bettors can take advantage of a number of different payment methods when it comes to depositing and withdrawing money from their online accounts. Most sites accept bank cards such as Visa and Mastercard, e-wallets like Skrill and Neteller, as well as some cryptocurrencies and bank transfers. Most of these options are free and instantaneous. However, bank transfers can take up to a few working days to clear. Punters should always check specific sites for accurate lists of payment methods, as well as the minimum and maximum amounts that can be deposited and withdrawn.

The currency that is used in Romania is the Romanian leu (RON). Unfortunately, this is not accepted as a form of currency to bet with on many international gambling sites. Punters can still deposit it. However, they must convert it before they can bet. Many gambling sites offer conversion services, but these can be costly. Punters should do their research before they sign up to a site so that they know they are getting the best possible conversion rates, allowing them more money to gamble with.


Mobile Betting in Romania

Due to the accessibility of smartphones, mobile gambling is becoming increasingly popular within Romania, as well as globally. Most betting sites offer free apps to download on Apple and Android, as well as Windows devices (although not all sites offer Windows apps). These apps make the site easier to navigate on a small touch screen and are designed to be used on the go with data, so there is often less downloading involved than if a punter was constantly using the full desktop site. Occasionally, betting sites will offer separate apps for sports betting and casino betting, which means that the app becomes more targeted to a certain type of betting.

Online Casinos

Online casinos are legal in Romania, and there are a number of different betting sites that are licensed to offer this form of betting to punters. Romanians can enjoy slot games, card games like poker and blackjack, as well as live casino events.

Leading Sports for Betting in Romania

Sports betting enjoys relative popularity in Romania, and here is a list of the most popular sports to bet on in the country:

  • Football
    Arguably the most popular sport in the world, the population of Romania is also heavily involved in the sport, not just on the pitch, but also in the bookmakers. All sites offer a range of different games to bet on, encompassing a number of different local and international tournaments, as well as different types of bets.
  • Basketball
    Although not as popular as the NBA, the Romanian basketball association enjoys a solid following within the country. Some betting sites offer coverage of games within the country, but many don’t. However, punters can still bet on international games that include the Romanian, as well as other more popular basketball championships.
  • Volleyball
    Betting for this sport peaks during the Olympics, but there are also other opportunities for betting on volleyball during other events as well. Both men and women teams achieve relatively well on an international level, and many betting sites let Romanians back their favourite local team to win.
  • Handball
    Handball enjoys relative popularity within Europe, and Romania is no exception. The sport is not necessarily fully covered on all betting sites, but many will offer bets on the largest matches and tournaments. If punters are really into betting on this sport, they should take their time choosing a site that can provide them with the most coverage possible.
  • Tennis
    There are a number of hugely popular tournaments that Romanian punters can bet on, notable ones such as Wimbledon and the French Open. Although Romanian players may be limited in terms of local games that they can bet on, international sites offer decent coverage of the sport played overseas.



The Profile of a Romanian Bettor

Betting in Romania has always been a popular pastime, even before it was technically considered legal. Much like the rest of the world, Romanian bettors are increasingly turning to online betting, because it is so accessible anywhere, any time. In saying that, Romania has tens of thousands of physical venues dotted around the country where gambling activities are legal. This is a lot more than most countries, and this physical access means that many punters are still choosing to bet in brick and mortar establishments, compared to other countries where these kinds of options are limited.




FAQ

Is online gambling legal in Romania?

Yes, online gambling is legal in Romania. Punters can legally access a wide range of different betting sites, and they can partake in all kinds of betting.

Are there any taxes for Romanian players on their winnings?

Yes, winners are taxed. If punters receive less than €15,000 they are taxed 1% if a punter wins more than that but less than €100,000 they are taxed 16%, and if someone wins more than €100,000 they are taxed 25%.

Can I open an account and play in EUR?

Yes, because most sites do not accept RON, sites will allow Romanians to register, and offer them services to convert their currency to EUR to play. If you already have EUR, this is generally considered better to bet with because it is so widely accepted.

Is betting on foreign websites safe?

Yes, if a foreign website is licensed to operate within the Romanian market, then it should be safe, regardless of whether it is foreign or not.

Are bet exchanges legal in Romania?

Yes, there are a number of licensed bet exchanges such as Betfair that can accept Romanian customers.

Which are the top bookies for sports betting in Romania?

Aside from the bookmakers already previously mentioned, 888sport and BetWinner both have very high-quality sports betting services, and are available to Romanians. All of these sites are reputable, are known to have good customer services when they are required, and the sites are safe, meaning a breach of personal data is unlikely. But most importantly, when it comes to deciding who the best bookmaker is, it really comes down to personal preference. While all of these sites are excellent, they all offer slightly different services, and it is up to the individual to find the best fit for them.

Are there any betting restrictions for Romanian customers?

No, the Romanian betting market is relatively free, there are different sites they can bet on, and they can engage in all forms of gambling. Perhaps the only restriction is that not many sites accept the local currency – it must be converted before punters can place bets.




Our Verdict

The Romanian online betting market is relatively free and open, despite the fact that the government attempt to regulate it. Like other countries in the EU, they cannot stop citizens from accessing international betting sites from other EU countries, because this is seen as limiting the opportunities of these private businesses. As a result of this, punters can browse a range of high-quality options, and bet using the ones that are right for them.

There is always room for improvement, however, and many betting sites, although they accept Romanian punters, are not very welcoming. Many sites do not accept local Romanian currency, sites are not offered in Romanian (the language), and local sporting event coverage can be somewhat limited. Despite these shortcomings, punters are choosing to bet online in increasing numbers, so it is likely that the market will continue to grow anyway.