Proposal to raise legal age for gambling in Romania passes Senate
The proposed legislation would raise the minimum age for gambling in Romania to 21.
Romania.- The Romanian Senate has advanced two pieces of legislation aimed at curbing access to gambling in the country. One of the bills, introduced by National Liberal Party (PNL) MP Raluca Turcan would raise the legal gambling age from 18 to 21.
Within Europe, Belgium, Greece, Lithuania and the Netherlands have all increased their minimum age for gambling to 21. A proposal is currently on the table in Bulgaria too.
The Senate also backed a separate initiative from the Save Romania Union (USR) that seeks to ban gambling advertising between 6am and midnight across both online and broadcast platforms. The proposal, supported by the governing Pro-Europe alliance would also ban the use of celebrities, athletes, and influencers in gambling promotions.
Turcan says her proposal was motivated by findings from the NGO Save the Children, which identified Romania as having the highest rate of youth gambling problems in Europe. She welcomed the Senate’s approval.
I am glad that my initiative has been supported by parliamentarians from all the governing parties – USR, PSD and UDMR – who understand that the protection of young people must be above any political dispute. The profit of the gambling industry cannot be built on the vulnerability of children and young people,” she said.
Both bills now head to the Chamber of Deputies, where they have been prioritised for review. If approved, President Niscusor Dan would sign them into law.
Earlier this year, lawmakers also agreed to fast-track reforms to Romania’s Games of Chance Law (2009). The move follows a regulatory crisis last year, when a damning audit identified failings at Romania’s National Gambling Office (ONJN).
The ONJN subsequently underwent leadership changes, with Vlad-Cristian Soare appointed as its new president. Soare has prioritised player protection, including the launch of a revamped national self-exclusion programme.
