Iași Becomes Romania’s First County to Remove All Slot Machine Venues

Romania’s Iași County has become the first in the country to remove all land-based slot machine venues after every one of its 98 local councils voted to eliminate the establishments.

This move follows recent national legislation transferring the authority for slot machine venues regulation to local governments. Each council is free to decide how the process is implemented.

Some municipalities will begin shutting venues immediately, while others will allow operators until existing licences expire. According to Romania’s National Gambling Office (ONJN), the final slot machine licences are expected to run until February 2027.

Grassroots campaign played a major role in the county’s decision

The decision follows years of campaigning by more than 7,000 anti-gambling activists, led by initiatives such as those organised by Paul Ciobanu.

“The ordinance moved the decision to local authorities. We were very happy because it is easier to convince a city hall than a government to legislate.

“We can be happy that we are the first county to get rid of this phenomenon. We started with ‘Iași – Say no to the scoundrels’, and then another 170 local campaigns appeared.”

Given Iași’s size as Romania’s second most populous county, the decision could encourage other local authorities to adopt similar measures.

Wider gambling reforms continue across the Romanian market

The closures come at a period of intense political scrutiny for gambling regulation in Romania. Policymakers are debating stronger self-exclusion measures and proposals to raise the legal gambling age.

Authorities have also stepped up enforcement against illegal gambling. Recent actions include classifying prediction market platform Polymarket as an unlicensed gambling operator and dismantling an affiliate network that promoted multiple illegal gambling websites.