The Legal 500 > Europe, Middle East & Africa > Romania > TMT: gambling law

Nestor Nestor Diculescu Kingston Petersen is ‘very well versed in gambling law and operations’, displaying ‘strong industry knowledge’ and understanding of the ‘administrative procedures around gaming licensing requirements’. Ana-Maria Baciu and Cosmina Simion lead the practice and, together with Andrei Cosma and senior associate Alina Dumitru, are praised as ‘excellent lawyers with excellent gambling law knowledge’. The team handles a range of licensing, compliance, enforcement, regulation and business operation issues. It continues to advise an online betting and gaming company on all regulatory, tax, consumer protection and banking matters, and a market leader in the development of online gambling software sought assistance with regulatory compliance for the implementation of various products and features.

Cristian Radu leads the practice at Ţuca Zbârcea & Asociaţii, which represents online gambling operators, casinos, gaming organisations and gaming vendors. PokerStars is a notable client who sought the team's advice on a range of compliance and regulatory issues specific to its online gambling operations. In another highlight, it advised Fortuna Romania on the regulatory implications of its acquisitions of Public Slots and Hattrick Bet. Other instructions include license applications, IP and tax issues, commercial and data protection matters and disputes.

At Cunescu, Balaciu & Asociatii, practice head Dinu Petre handles the full range of gambling instructions. The team renders ongoing advice to Gameworld Romania and assisted the client with the establishment of new group company Gameworld Invest. Other notable clients include Westgate Romania and Cardinal Entertainment.

DLA Piper Dinu SCA is well regarded for regulatory advice and litigation matters. Radu Balas and Tudor Nedelea jointly head the practice and are representing Hillside (bet365 group) in litigation with the National Office for Gambling regarding the client's right to operate online gambling in Romania. It also represented WHG (International) in a dispute aiming to recover amounts retrospectively imposed on the client by the authorities.