Romania launches gambling reform talks after oversight failures
The regulator is targeting self-exclusion, addiction treatment and illegal gambling as part of a wider legislative overhaul.
Key takeaways
- Romania’s gambling regulator ONJN has convened its Consultative Council for November 18, 2026, as part of a broader legislative review.
- Discussions will cover gambling addiction treatment, self-exclusion systems, illegal online gambling and licence monitoring.
- The review aims to address inconsistencies and outdated provisions in Romania’s gambling laws.
- The reform process follows a Court of Accounts audit that identified regulatory liabilities estimated at between €630m and €900m.
- Industry stakeholders are seeking greater regulatory clarity following recent legislative changes affecting both online and land-based gambling operators.
Romania’s gambling regulator, the ONJN, has launched a new phase of its gambling reform programme by convening its Consultative Council to discuss addiction treatment, self-exclusion, illegal gambling and regulatory oversight. The initiative forms part of a wider review of the country’s gambling legislation following criticism of regulatory practices, audit findings and concerns about inconsistencies in the current framework.
Romania.- Romania’s gambling regulator, the National Office for Gambling (ONJN), has convened its Consultative Council as part of efforts to reform the country’s gambling framework and address concerns over regulatory oversight failings. The meeting scheduled for November 18 will focus on a range of issues, including gambling addiction treatment, self-exclusion systems, illegal online gambling and the management of gambling licence records for audit and compliance purposes.
The discussions form part of an ongoing legislative review launched by ONJN following concerns that existing gambling laws contain outdated provisions and inconsistencies. While the regulator has not announced a timetable for completing the review, the council meeting provides a clearer indication of the areas it intends to prioritise.
In an earlier statement, ONJN said its legislative working group had been given “a mandate to analyse and harmonise existing legislation”. The regulator added that the objective was “bringing order to the entire regulatory framework”.
The review was initiated by the ONJN’s new president Valentin-Ioan Tomescu, who was appointed in August. It follows an assessment of the authority’s operation following a series of controversies and shortcomings. When Prime Minister Ilie Bolojan dismissed the regulator’s previous president Vlad-Cristian Soare, there was no explanation given for the change, but there has been political pressure over ONJN’s performance since an audit by Romania’s Court of Accounts covering the period between 2019 and 2023. That review identified significant shortcomings in licence supervision, tax verification and the collection of authorisation fees, with reported regulatory liabilities estimated at between €630m and €900m.
Auditors also raised concerns about failures to properly verify operator data and reconcile reported figures with tax declarations, prompting wider questions about both ONJN’s enforcement practices and the effectiveness of the legislative framework it administers.
The regulator has also faced reputational challenges linked to corruption investigations involving former senior officials. While those matters remain subject to legal proceedings, they have intensified debate about governance and accountability within the authority.
Since taking office, Tomescu has identified digitalisation, staffing and addiction treatment as key priorities, while also signalling a need to strengthen administrative processes and improve accountability across the organisation. Player protection is also expected to be a central topic during the November consultations. The ONJN said the council will examine proposals for a national gambling addiction treatment programme as well as the legislative changes needed to support it.
“Discussions will focus on developing a national programme to treat gambling addiction, the legislative changes needed in this area, and the effects of new regulations on the organisation and operation of gambling activities,” the ONJN stated.
The regulator will also review the implementation of self-exclusion measures and consider ways to ensure they are applied consistently across the market. Other topics include efforts to combat unlicensed online gambling and proposals relating to the recording and monitoring of player transactions at land-based gambling venues. In addition, ONJN plans to consult on a future regulatory framework covering online gambling, fixed-odds betting and retail gambling operations.
Meanwhile, several Romanian municipalities have been voting to phase out land-based gaming after gaining new local powers from central government. Super Technologies has said it will change its gambling venues into community centres in areas affected by bans.
FAQs
Why is ONJN reviewing Romania’s gambling laws?
The regulator says existing legislation contains inconsistencies and outdated provisions. The review aims to harmonise regulations and create a more coherent framework for the market.
What issues will be discussed during the November consultation?
The agenda includes gambling addiction treatment, self-exclusion systems, illegal online gambling, transaction monitoring, licensing oversight and future regulation of online and land-based gambling.
What prompted the latest regulatory review?
The process follows regulatory scrutiny, leadership changes and a Court of Accounts audit that identified shortcomings in licence supervision, tax verification and fee collection.
What concerns have gambling operators raised?
Industry groups have criticised inconsistent regulatory interpretations and uncertainty created by recent legislative changes, particularly around municipal powers over land-based gambling venues.
What could the consultations lead to?
ONJN says the discussions are intended to generate proposals that can be translated into legislative and administrative reforms covering player protection, enforcement and regulatory supervision.
