SBC News Voice of the Sports Betting Industry
William Hill management has withdrawn its online betting and gaming services from Romania, citing that the withdrawal was made due to recent regulatory developments within the market.
On June 2 the operator had suspended all Romanian account activity on their digital platforms, William Hill has sent player communications advising customers to withdraw any funds and to clear balances with the bookmaker.
William Hill has further advised all affiliate and marketing partners operating in the jurisdiction, to withdraw campaigns and advertising inventory.
The operator’s decision follows the Romanian government’s decision to implement a new online gambling framework which will set out the requirements for operators to gain licenses for online gambling products and services. Romanian policy makers have attached a 20% tax duty on online gambling revenues.
However Romanian policy makers have additionally attached a tax-back amendment to the framework, which would require operators seeking licenses to return 20% of revenues derived from the market since online gambling was banned in 2009.
William Hill’s Romanian market withdrawal follows those of Ladbrokes in January of this year, and bet365 in 2014.
