Romania had 649 active gambling companies last year, which paid total taxes of EUR 550 million.

Of the total amount, some EUR 274 million represented licensing taxes and were paid to the National Office for Gambling (ONJN), whereas the rest of the amount represented tax on profit and social insurance contributions, according to ONJN, reports local News.ro.

By comparison, the gambling sector paid EUR 514 million to Romania’s budget in 2015.

ONJN carried out over 8,900 controls at gambling companies last year, applying fines of RON 8.1 million (EUR 1.7 million). Authorities seized 200 slot machines following controls.

The sector employed 48,640 people last year. ONJN plans to increase the budget revenues this year by preventing and combating unauthorized gambling.

editor@romania-insider.com