Online Gambling Laws in Moldova

Moldova's gambling laws are pretty modern and permissive, with just about all forms of gambling legal in the country. However, the market isn't quite as open as you might think when you look closer. Read on for the current legal situation regarding gambling in Moldova.

Gambling Regulation by Casino Type

Moldova's gambling laws are laid out in Law 291: On the organization and execution of gambling activities, which replaced the 1999 Law No. 285, effectively making all forms of gambling in the country legal. That said, everything except casino and online casino gambling comes under the monopoly of the state-owned lottery company Loteria Națională a Moldovei. Let's take Moldova's gambling laws by each activity in turn.

Casino Games

Casino gaming at land-based venues in Moldova has been legal since 1991. Gambling activity was first made legal in 1918, one of the first to be legalized, but when the USSR took over the countries, gambling was prohibited by law.

Today, those wishing to operate a casino in Moldova must apply for a licence. There are currently four casinos in operation in the country, most of which are in the capital, Chisinau. Numerous slots halls also operate across the country. In contrast to every other form of gambling in the country, casinos and slot halls are the only establishments not under monopoly control.

Online casino gambling is also legally permitted in Moldova and has been since 2016, thanks to an amendment to the existing gambling laws. Residents wishing to play slots, table games and online live casino games must do so at a licensed site, as casinos operating without a licence are blocked by the country's ISPs.

Poker

Land-based poker is legal in Moldova and has been since 1991. However, the game is restricted to licensed casinos (table games, video poker in some slot halls), with no poker halls operating in the country and no separate licence for such a venue. Similarly, online poker has been legal in Moldova since 2016, but there is no poker site licence obtainable in the country. Only licensed online casinos can offer poker games.

Bingo

Offline bingo games are legal in Moldova and have been since 1991. Still, they are classed as a form of lottery and, therefore, come under the monopoly of the country's lottery company, Loteria Națională a Moldovei. The traditional bingo hall-baseball-based games popular in Western countries aren't played in Moldova, and there are no standalone bingo halls.

Online bingo gambling has been legal in Moldova since 2016, but again, such gambling is under monopoly control by the country's lottery company. Online bingo games are not offered by Loteria Națională a Moldovei, and visiting offshore bingo sites is illegal.

Lotteries

Lottery gambling is legal in Moldova and has been since 1991. Until recently, lottery games came under the control of the state-owned Loteria Națională a Moldovei. Still, a deal was recently struck with Bulgarian National Lottery AD over offline lottery operations and retailers, partially breaking the monopoly.

Moldovans can also play online lottery games for real money via the Loteria Națională a Mol,dovei website, which has been legal in Moldova since 2016. Residents of the country can also purchase lottery tickets via other websites.

Social Gambling and Crypto Casinos

Moldova's existing gambling laws do not mention social casinos, skins gambling or loot boxes, making these activities unregulated.

Cryptocurrencies are not illegal in Moldova, but in 2018, the country's national bank warned residents to be cautious regarding using and investing in such coins. In contrast, breakaway state Transnistria moved to legalize cryptocurrencies the same year. Either way, cryptocurrency gambling is still unregulated in Moldova and Transnistria, and as such, no crypto casinos-based country exists. However, Moldovans can play casino games with cryptocurrencies via foreign online casinos.

Moldova Sports Betting Laws

Sports betting is legal in Moldova and comes under the monopoly control of the country's lottery company, Loteria Națională a Moldovei, but. Still, the Bulgarian National Lottery AD is involved, breaking the monopoly somewhat. Sports betting markets are offered alongside lottery products at the many retailers that are scattered across the country.

Online sports betting is also legal in Moldova, but gain is only permitted by Loteria Națională a Moldovei. Fantasy sports betting is not specifically mentioned in Moldova's gambling laws.

Gambling Age Restriction

To bet on lottery or sports betting products in Moldova, residents must be at least 18. To enter and play at the country's four casinos, residents must be at least 21.

Tax Regulation

Depending on the activity offered, Moldova gambling tax regulations stipulate a different tax rate. Casinos are charged an 18% tax based on gross gambling revenue, with the same tax rate applied to ticket sales of small promotional lotteries or raffles with prize pools below 50,000 MDL (~€2,600).

Lotteries with prize pools above 50,000 MDL are charged a 25% tax on ticket sales. Online lotteries, instant wins and scratchcards are all liable for a 28% tax on tickets sold. Sports betting also attracts a 28% tax based on bets accepted. Players in Moldova are also liable for gambling tax, which is charged at the rate of 12%.

History of Gambling Laws in Moldova

Gambling was first legalized in Moldova in 1918, but all forms of gambling were prohibited following the USSR's takeover of the country. When Moldova regained its independence in 1990, it legalized gambling again the following year.

Law 285 of 1999 was replaced by Law 291 of the Republic of Moldova on the organization and Execution of gambling activities in 2016. Amendments made to this law in 2016 and 2017 introduced online gambling to the legal terminology, effectively making online gambling legal in the country.

Key Facts

While all forms of gambling in Moldova are legal, everything except the country's casinos and slots halls are operated under state monopoly. Here's a quick rundown of the key points regarding gambling in Moldova:

• Land-based and online casino gambling is legal in Moldova under licence: This includes the country's four casinos, various slots halls, casino slots and live dealer games. Casino gambling is the only activity that isn't under monopoly control.
• Offline and online poker is legal in Moldova: Poker games only take place at licensed casinos/online casinos.
• Bingo, lottery and sports betting are legal, and all come under monopoly control of Moldova's lottery company, Loteria Națională a Moldovei.