CN Loteria Românã, the operating company of Loto Romania (Loto.Ro) is reviewing whether to expand the product portfolio of the national lottery to include a fixed-odds and online sportsbook offering. 

The operator has issued notice to The European Lotteries (EL) and World Lottery Association (WLA), informing members that it requires guidance on developing an ‘organised framework to cater for an organic consumer demand in sports betting.’

Of significance, Loteria Românã underlined that it would require strategic guidance on the funds and investment needed to operate an effective sportsbook framework.

The notice disclosed that Loteria Românã will review proposals by ‘interested parties’ to operate its fixed odds betting and online sportsbook. The submission closing date is 31 January. 

Proposals for cooperation must include details on client portfolios, sportsbook systems used and an initial outline on how the partnership would work.

Authorised by the government, Loteria Românã serves as the ‘exclusive contractor’ of Romanian lotteries for land-based and remote draws.   

Romania reformed its gambling laws in 2010 to allow licensed operators to offer online gambling services under the domain of the national regulator, Oficiului Național pentru Jocuri de Noroc (ONJN).

Since 2010, ONJN has granted thirty ‘Class-1’ online sportsbook and casino licences to foreign and domestic operators including market leaders Superbet, Stanleybet RO and CasaPariurilor (Fortuna Entertainment). 

ONJN’s market registry holds no information on whether Loteria Românã holds an option to launch a sportsbook service.