The Romanian state expects to collect up to EUR 100 million this year from the online gambling operators.

The state has begun to collect taxes from this type of activity for the first time, following changes in legislation. The online gambling operators that have been operating illegally in Romania have 90 days to pay the taxes they owe the state for the last five years, according to the new law on online gambling, reports local Economica.net. If the companies fail to pay, they risk prosecution.

One of the first authorized sites winmasters.com has already paid EUR 500,000 worth of taxes and guarantees. Other operators have said they were willing to pay retroactive taxes as well, in order to get the operating licenses.

Starting 2016, the state will collect about EUR 30 million annually from taxes paid by online gambling operators, according to its estimates.

editor@romania-insider.com