At SIMION & BACIU, we are uniquely positioned to provide specialized gaming advice doubled by seamless access to a true pool of resources across business law areas, including intellectual property, consumer protection, advertising, data protection and privacy, anti-money laundry, general commercial & corporate etc. We thus argue that we know best the rules of the game, as we are deeply familiar with the full spectrum of licensing, compliance, enforcement and interpretation of the gaming legislation, business operations or dealings with regulators.
We represent today many of the largest and most successful gambling businesses in the industry as well as software and other service suppliers, payment processors and media businesses that supply the gambling industry nowadays, whether domestic or international companies active in the brick and mortar or remote gaming sector, or both. To keep ahead of the game and provide full services to our clients with international presence, we joined international reputed gambling professional associations and constantly team-up with international law firms specialized in betting and gambling.
We routinely engage in:
- acting as appointed “authorized representative” in Romania for online foreign operators;
- assistance dealing with both consumer complaints as well as competitors’ complaints;
- AML compliance advice;
- day-to-day advice on regulatory, tax and corporate–commercial aspects related to gambling activities;
- dispute resolution and litigation;
- gaming transactional support to include corporate structuring, drafting, negotiation and management of sale-purchase agreements, joint venture agreements, assignment agreements, white label agreements etc. as well as due diligence work that precedes such;
- image rights agreements;
- privacy and personal data processing matters;
- regulatory advice and full assistance with licensing and authorization process;
- regulatory advice related to advertising lotteries and any other gaming/promotional activities;
- responsible gaming advice;
- sponsorship matters;
- standard terms and conditions and other consumer contracts;
- unfair contract terms and contractual enforceability.
As part of a highly regulated industry, we understand that gaming businesses put the emphasis on being fully compliant with their regulatory obligations. Our aim is to guide clients to both design and sett-up efficient legal compliance structures, as well as to assist them with their implementation and keep-up.
To this end, because we understand the need for a one stop shop adviser, we are acting as appointed “authorized representative” in Romania for our clients that are online foreign operators. We are the liaison with the Romanian institutions, such as the National Gambling Office, the AML, tax and data protection authorities, and represent our clients during the licensing and authorization process, the required technical and financial auditing procedures. And when amicable settlement is no longer possible, we take our expertise in front of the court and put it to practice for the benefit of our clients.
We promote a “NO-one-size-fits-all” policy: we believe in full disclosure of ideas, open debates and tailored solutions for our clients. To this purpose, we are frequent contributors to international and local publications discussing the status of and perspectives on the market and its legal framework.
We put things in perspective in this sector and we continue to be heavily involved in the legislative exercise underwent by the gambling legislation. We keep a direct link with the gaming business, by constantly participating or speaking at sector gatherings such as ICE, SIGMA, G2E, EEGS, WrB or Slot Summit.
We are recognized for our work and level of expertise by independent local and international observers.
Thanks to the results and reputation of our practice, Ana-Maria Baciu and Cosmina Simion, co-heads of our gaming team are General Members for Romania of IMGL, a not for profit association comprising over 340 members globally, recognized as the leading experts in their jurisdictions and involved in most material gambling sector developments and issues worldwide.
As of 2023, Cosmina Simion is serving as a Vice President of IMGL (previously, since 2020, having acted as an Executive Member of the Board of IMGL). Ana-Maria Baciu is a Co-chair of the IMGL Membership Committee.
Testimonials
“‘SIMION & BACIU is the leading gambling law firm in Romania and our only port of call for such advice. They also advise the industry trade association which gives them insight into the latest developments.’” (Legal 500, 2023)
“‘An outstanding firm when it comes to their retail and online gambling knowledge and capabilities. The team has extensive and detailed knowledge of the specific gambling regulation in Romania, as well as any other laws which relate to AML, data protection and tax management of gambling companies in Romania.’” (Legal 500, 2023)
‘‘Deep insight into gambling regulatory law and affairs in Romania. What I particularly like about their firm is that they provide regular updates that impact our business proactively without us having to initiate a conversation. Additionally, the firm handles aspects of Romanian red tape for clients to alleviate the burden for them.’” (Legal 500, 2023)
“The team at SIMION & BACIU are exceptional; the best in the Romanian space. Besides being led by amazing partners, they are extremely well-versed with the industry and gambling operations. This is not common to come by and this helps operators make decisions which are both legal/compliant and also sensible.” (Legal 500, 2023)
“The team is very proactive – this is very important for a gambling law practice, because there are constant moving pieces, changes being discussed and SIMION & BACIU is always ahead by providing you with information about any potential changes and keeping you up to date.” (Legal 500, 2022)
“The team is also very clear, descriptive and quick in the responses they give. Any priority issue/topics are always being dealt with as soon as possible.” (Legal 500, 2022)
“Simion & Baciu is the go-to firm in Romania in the IP and Gambling space.” (Legal 500, 2020)
“Excellent local market knowledge and unrivalled experience when it comes to Romanian laws applicable to online gambling and the regulatory regime/environment in respect of online gambling generally.” (Legal 500, 2020)
[Their] responsiveness when coupled with local expertise, […] makes S&B a compelling offering. (Legal 500, 2020)
“Despite only recently having been established we have not noticed any change in service delivery and the S&B transition was extremely smooth.” (Legal 500, 2020)
SIMION & BACIU was awarded the Firm of the Year in Gambling Law distinction at the Romanian Legal Awards Gala 2022, and is the winner of the Best Law Firm active in Gaming Law in Romania award at the Casino Inside gala in 2021 and 2022.
