An entire Romanian county has now banned slot machine venues
All 98 local councils in Iași have voted to phase out land-based gaming halls.
Romania.- The county of Iași in has becomes the first to entirely ban gaming halls. The situation is the result of local authorities gaining new powers to regulate gaming halls in Romania under national Emergency Ordinance 7/2026, adopted in February.
The legislation grants Romania’s local councils the power to make decisions on the licensing of land-based slots venues. Iași is reportedly the first county in which every individual council has voted not to grant new licences.
There are 98 local councils in Iași. The specific details of each council’s policy vary. Generally, the restrictions will be phased in, with existing venues allowed to continue operating until their current licences expire. However, it’s been reported that some venues could face immediate closure in some localities.
The last land-based gaming licences in Iași are expected to lapse by the end of February 2027. Emergency Ordinance 7/2026 requires operators in areas where gambling remains permitted to secure annual authorisation from the local council in addition to their national licence. The move covers all land-based gambling except traditional lottery games run by the Romanian Lottery and licensed sports betting.
The initiative reportedly began in Miroslava commune, spread to Iași municipality, and eventually gained traction across the county. Pașcani was the last to approve a prohibition, passing it after an earlier attempt failed to secure enough votes. Civic organisations În Stradă and Declic helped drive momentum, collecting more than 7,400 signatures from residents in support of the ban.
“No new permits will be issued for gaming halls or for machines of this type,” said Paul Ciobanu, co‑founder of În Stradă, in comments reported by the daily newspaper Adevărul. Campaigners said the restrictions would better protect children and teenagers from gambling advertising and reduce the social and financial harm.
