The certification requirement
Every game offered under a Romanian ONJN Class 1 authorisation must be certified by an ONJN-accredited testing laboratory before it can be offered to Romanian players. The requirement is codified in Article 15 of GEO 77/2009 as amended and elaborated in ONJN Order 145/2018 with subsequent revisions.
The certification covers two distinct dimensions:
- Platform certification — the operator's gaming platform as a whole: RGS (remote game server), RNG (random number generator), player-account management, transaction integrity, anti-fraud systems, responsible-gambling enforcement.
- Per-game certification — each individual game offered: RNG fairness, RTP (return-to-player) calibration, game logic, paytable accuracy, jackpot integrity, fairness over time.
The Class 1 operator bears the certification burden, not the Class 2 supplier. Game studios provide their already-certified-in-another-jurisdiction documentation (typically a previous MGA, UKGC, or Spanish certification), but ONJN requires Romanian-specific re-certification or recognition before the game can launch in Romania.
The four accredited testing labs
ONJN accredits four independent testing laboratories for the Romanian market in 2026. Each is internationally recognised across multiple gambling jurisdictions:
Gaming Laboratories International (GLI)
Gaming Laboratories International is the largest of the four globally. US-headquartered, with European operations from Vienna. Certifies platforms, RNGs, individual games, and responsible-gambling systems. Strongest brand recognition among the four; commonly used by tier-1 operators. Typical Romanian game certification cost: €1,500–€2,500 per game, €8,000–€15,000 for full platform certification. Lab turnaround: 4–8 weeks.
BMM Testlabs
BMM Testlabs is GLI's primary competitor with a strong European footprint. Headquartered in Las Vegas with operations across Europe, Australia, and Asia. Particularly strong on live-dealer certifications and advanced RNG audits. Costs comparable to GLI; turnaround similar.
eCOGRA
eCOGRA is UK-based and specialises in player-protection certifications and responsible-gambling auditing in addition to game-level testing. Often chosen by operators with a strong responsible-gambling branding strategy. Costs slightly lower than GLI/BMM (typically €1,200–€2,000 per game), turnaround 4–6 weeks.
iTech Labs
iTech Labs is Australian-headquartered with growing European presence. Strong on RNG and slot-game certification, less established for live-dealer or complex platforms. Costs €1,000–€1,800 per game, turnaround 3–6 weeks — generally the fastest of the four.
Operators typically choose one primary lab for ongoing certification needs and develop a working relationship. Switching labs mid-portfolio is permitted but adds documentation overhead.
What gets tested
The technical scope of certification under ONJN Order 145/2018:
- Random number generation — statistical analysis confirming the RNG produces uniformly distributed output meeting NIST SP 800-22 or equivalent standards. The lab runs millions of test outputs over multiple test vectors.
- Return-to-player (RTP) calibration — the game's mathematical model is validated against simulated long-term player outcomes. RTP must match the declared rate within tight tolerances over high simulation volumes (typically 10⁸ simulations).
- Paytable accuracy — the game's paytable, bonus features, and prize-distribution logic match the documented behaviour.
- Game logic — bet validation, payout calculation, error handling, edge cases (network disconnections, transaction failures, jackpot wins) all behave as specified.
- Jackpot integrity — for progressive jackpots, the contribution mechanics, seed funding, and payout logic match the operator's declared rules.
- Responsible-gambling integration — the game respects player session limits, reality checks, self-exclusion enforcement, and deposit-limit triggers.
- Player-protection messaging — the game displays required warnings and information at the moments mandated by Romanian responsible-gambling rules.
The lab issues a certification report that runs typically 40–80 pages per game, with statistical analyses, test methodologies, and findings. This report is submitted to ONJN as part of the licensing or game-addition dossier.
Per-game cost and timeline
Realistic budgeting for a typical Romanian Class 1 operator:
- Initial portfolio certification at licence application: a typical sportsbook + casino operator launches with 50–150 games plus the platform. Aggregate certification cost runs €80,000–€220,000, completed over 2–4 months in parallel with the licence application.
- Ongoing game additions post-licensing: typically 20–60 new games per quarter for active operators. Per-game cost continues at €1,000–€2,500; turnaround 4–6 weeks once the lab relationship is established.
- Live-dealer certification is materially more expensive per game/table than slot certification — typically €5,000–€12,000 per live-dealer game given the additional operational and integrity dimensions.
- Annual recertification of the platform and material game changes — typically €15,000–€35,000 annually for a portfolio of 200+ games.
- ONJN approval fee post-lab certification — separate from the lab cost, typically €500–€1,500 per game payable to ONJN before the game can launch.
Game certification is a significant ongoing operational cost that operators frequently underestimate at the budgeting stage. Acceleration tactics (parallel lab submissions, prioritisation of high-revenue games, recognition of prior-jurisdiction certifications where ONJN permits) are part of every Bespoke iGaming engagement.
Recertification cadence
Initial certification is not the end of the story. ONJN requires re-certification or recognition of changes in three scenarios:
- Material game changes — paytable updates, RTP recalibration, jackpot mechanism changes, bonus-feature additions. Trigger immediate re-certification before the change is live in Romania.
- Platform updates — major RGS or RNG version changes typically trigger platform recertification within 90 days.
- Annual platform recertification — under ONJN Order 145/2018, platforms must be re-validated annually to confirm ongoing integrity. The annual scope is narrower than initial certification but still meaningful.
- Triggered by inspection findings — where on-site ONJN inspections find game-integrity issues, mandatory recertification may be ordered as a remediation step.
Operators with active game pipelines run continuous certification cycles rather than discrete projects. The Bespoke engagement model includes ongoing lab-relationship management to keep certification flowing without becoming a launch bottleneck.
Frequently asked questions
Can I use a previously-certified game from another jurisdiction?
ONJN permits recognition of prior MGA, UKGC, or other reputable-jurisdiction certifications under specific conditions — typically the prior certification must be recent (within 12 months), from the same accredited lab, and accompanied by a Romanian-specific addendum addressing local RG and RNG requirements. Recognition is faster than full re-certification (2–3 weeks vs 4–8) and cheaper (typically €300–€600 per game) but is not always granted.
Does ONJN test games in-house or rely on labs?
Rely on labs. ONJN does not maintain in-house testing capability for game certification. The regulator reviews lab reports and may request clarifications but does not run independent technical tests. This makes the lab relationship critical: a well-known lab's reports clear ONJN review materially faster than less-recognised testing arrangements.
What is the typical RTP minimum for Romanian games?
ONJN does not impose a hard RTP minimum, but responsible-gambling expectations and consumer-protection rules under OUG 82/2023 effectively constrain operators to 85%+ RTP for slot games and higher for other categories. The actual mathematical floor varies by game type. Sub-85% RTP slots have appeared in past Romanian portfolios but are increasingly rare given regulator scrutiny.
Do live-dealer games need certification?
Yes, and the certification is more involved than slot certification. The lab tests not just the game logic but the operational dimensions: dealer-supervisor procedures, card-shoe integrity, RFID and chip handling, video-stream integrity, RNG dealing equipment (where applicable). Live-dealer certification typically runs €5K–€12K per game/table and 6–10 weeks per turnaround.
Can I launch a beta version of a game without certification?
No — no game can be offered to Romanian players without prior certification. Beta-testing with real-money players is therefore not permitted. Beta-testing with internal testers using sandboxed accounts is permitted (and routinely used by studios) but does not satisfy the certification requirement for public launch.
Which lab should I choose?
For brand-recognition reasons, GLI or BMM Testlabs are the safest defaults. eCOGRA is strong if responsible-gambling certification is a marketing priority. iTech Labs is competitive on price and turnaround for slot-heavy portfolios. Most operators settle on one primary lab and use a secondary lab tactically — for example GLI as primary, iTech Labs for fast-turnaround slot launches.
Talk to us
Game certification is a real operational cost — typically €80K–€220K at initial licensing, then €60K–€150K annually for active operators — and a regular launch bottleneck if not managed well. Bespoke engagements include lab-relationship management and certification-pipeline planning. Book a discovery call.
Related guides
- iGaming licensing under ONJN: the complete 2026 guide — the pillar overview
- ONJN Class 1 (B2C) authorisation in detail — where certification fits in the application
- ONJN Class 2 (B2B) supplier authorisation — how Class 2 game studios interact with certification
- Substance and inspection regime for ONJN licensees — inspection-driven recertification triggers
- AML, player segregation, responsible gambling — RG integration in certification scope