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Romania: Higher Gambling Taxes Will Drive Players to the Black Market, AOJND Warns

Increasing taxes on gambling operations in Romania will not boost state revenues but will instead trigger a mass migration of players to the black market, warns the Romanian Remote Gambling Operators Association (AOJND). According to the association, such a shift would expose players to unregulated environments and have severe economic and social repercussions.
Licensed online gambling operators in Romania already face a cumulative tax burden of up to 30% of gross gaming revenue. AOJND emphasizes that any additional tax increases would be economically unsustainable for operators and would inevitably be passed on to players. The result? A mass exodus toward unlicensed platforms that offer fewer restrictions and more aggressive incentives.
A Growing Threat: Black Market Gambling
Earlier this year, AOJND commissioned a survey that revealed alarming data: 14.07% of Romanian players admitted to using unlicensed gambling websites. The key reasons for this behavior were:
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More attractive bonuses and rewards (59.46%) — perks that unlicensed operators can afford since they pay no taxes in Romania.
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Excessive taxation on licensed sites (18.92%).
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No requirement to justify the origin of played funds (11.76%).
Meanwhile, the economic impact is already showing: in 2024, tax revenues from the gambling industry dropped by nearly 17%, totaling €689 million, according to Romania’s National Office for Gambling (ONJN). This decline coincided with increased tax burdens across the sector.
Eroding Player Protections
AOJND also highlights the risk to players who turn to unlicensed platforms. These operators are not bound by Romanian regulations and do not offer any of the mandatory safeguards provided by licensed operators, including:
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Self-exclusion options
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Deposit and betting limits
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Financial eligibility checks
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Responsible gambling awareness campaigns
“Additional taxation will only push more players into the arms of unlicensed operators,” stated Odeta Nestor, President of AOJND. “Without legal protection, these players face a much higher risk of gambling addiction, fraud, and other criminal activities. This policy would undermine years of progress in ensuring safe and responsible gambling environments.”
About AOJND
The Romanian Remote Gambling Operators Association (AOJND) was founded in 2017 to unify and represent the interests of Romania’s licensed online gambling operators. Its mission is to promote fair, responsible, and transparent gaming practices in a regulated framework.
AOJND members include prominent brands such as:
EFBET, FRANK CASINO, EFORTUNA, LAS VEGAS, WINBET, CASA PARIURILOR, BETANO, MAXBET, STANLEYBET, NETBET, POKERSTARS, UNIBET, MOZZART, GETSBET, PLAYGG, 888, and WINNER.
Final Thoughts
As Romania considers changes to its gambling tax regime, AOJND’s message is clear: heavier taxation is not a path to sustainable revenue, but a shortcut to destabilization. The black market thrives in the shadows of overregulation. To protect players, preserve state income, and ensure industry integrity, a balanced, forward-looking approach is essential.
For more information about AOJND and its advocacy for responsible iGaming in Romania, visit AOJND’s official site.
The post Romania: Higher Gambling Taxes Will Drive Players to the Black Market, AOJND Warns appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
Anastasia Rimskaya Chief Account Officer at Aviatrix
Aviatrix live with Wildz following Wildz Group integration

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Innovative crash game Aviatrix has integrated with leading operator Wildz Group, in a partnership that sees it launch with flagship casino Wildz and a selection of other, high-performing brands.
The launch is made possible via a Relax Gaming integration, giving Wildz Group players access to Aviatrix’s award-winning gameplay. In addition to Wildz, the title is now available at Spinz, Caxino, Tuplaus, Chipz and Wheelz.
Anastasia Rimskaya, Chief Account Officer at Aviatrix, said: “Wildz Group has built an outstanding reputation for delivering player-first entertainment, and we’re delighted that Aviatrix is joining that journey. We’re certain Aviatrix’s unique take on the crash genre will engage the full Wildz Group network, and we’d like to thank Relax Gaming for a swift and seamless integration.”
Jani Koskinen, Chief Marketing Officer at Wildz Group, said: “We’re always looking to add content that brings something new to our players, and Aviatrix fits the bill perfectly. Its blend of innovation and engagement is a great match for our casinos, and we’re excited to roll it out across our portfolio following a successful launch at Wildz.”
Since its debut a little over two years ago, Aviatrix has rapidly grown in popularity, thanks to a relentless focus on innovation and a commitment to keeping gameplay exciting for an expanding global audience.
The post Aviatrix live with Wildz following Wildz Group integration appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
243 Chili
Tom Horn Gaming Turns Up the Heat with 243 Chili

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Tom Horn Gaming is turning up the heat with its latest release, 243 Chili – a fiery fruit slot that blends vibrant visuals with proven mechanics to boost player engagement and operators’ revenues.
Set under the blazing Mexican sun, the reels of 243 Chili burst with colour, bringing together ripe tropical fruits and sizzling chillies. The visuals add flavour, but it’s the gameplay that sets the reels on fire with 243 Wild wins, 5 simple winlines transforming into 243 ways to win, respins, and multipliers of up to x5.
Tom Horn’s proven 243 Wild respin feature, a favourite among players who enjoy short, fast-paced feature cycles with high win potential, takes centre stage in this game. When the 243 Wild lands on the 2nd, 3rd, or 4th reel in a winning combination, it triggers the criss-cross mode with a respin and dynamic multipliers that can climb up to x5.
The addition of QuickX, Tom Horn’s proprietary bonus buy feature, allows higher-stakes players and thrill-seekers to jump straight into the hottest action – a guaranteed respin round with a multiplier. By purchasing a multiplier of their choice, ranging from x1 to x5, players can increase the intensity of their experience.  Playing with an x1 to x4 multiplier allows for a progression up to an x5 multiplier. This rare addition of a bonus buy option to the classic fruit slot game gives 243 Chili a competitive edge and makes it stand out in a crowded fruit slots market.
243 Chili brings together one of our most successful mechanics – 243 wild respin – enhanced with QuickX
 said Ondrej Lapides, CEO at Tom Horn Gaming. , giving players even more control over their gameplay,
It’s a perfect example of how we balance simplicity with innovation in a simple yet engaging slot that is set to drive higher revenues for our operator partner.
243 Chili delivers medium volatility gameplay across a 5×3 game grid, with bet levels ranging from €0.50 to €100. From seasoned punters to casual players who are drawn to colourful graphics and easy-to-grasp game mechanics, the game speaks to a diverse player base. Its mobile-optimised design ensures that players can enjoy quick spins and crisp visuals on any device.
243 Chili goes on general release on 7 October worldwide.
The post Tom Horn Gaming Turns Up the Heat with 243 Chili appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
Europe
Realistic Games strengthens Dutch presence with Starcasino partnership

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Realistic Games is continuing its strong commercial momentum by partnering with operator brand Starcasino. Building on their existing collaboration in the Belgian market, this new agreement sees the developer extend its offering to a Dutch player base, reinforcing its ongoing commitment to the region’s rapidly growing market.
Following its launch in September, the agreement provides Starcasino.nl with access to Realistic’s vast selection of popular titles, including Book of Charms, Phantom Tides, and Emerald Frenzy.
Kieran Wilson, Account Manager at Realistic Games, said: “Our partnership with Starcasino is built on a foundation of trust and shared success, which made it a natural next step to extend our collaboration into the Netherlands.
“We are eager to continue building on this momentum and are thrilled to bring our exciting titles to a new audience with a brand that shares our passion for delivering great games.”
Pieter Van den Bos, Director at Starcasino added: “The success we have experienced with Realistic Games in the Belgian market made it a clear choice to deepen our collaboration. We are delighted to extend our partnership into the Netherlands, a move that will allow us to bring their high-quality content to an even wider audience.
“This agreement will further diversify the content on our platform and deliver a continual flow of exciting new games to our players.”
The post Realistic Games strengthens Dutch presence with Starcasino partnership appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
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