Romania Authority Intensifies Gambling Enforcement With Massive Crackdown in First Year

Romania National Office for Gambling intensified enforcement activities during its first year, according to the April 2025 to April 2026 report. The regulator removed more than 60 pieces of illegal gambling content and blacklisted over 300 websites as part of Romania’s largest crackdown on illegal gambling operations to date.

Authorities carried out more than 11,000 inspections across the country. ONJN carried out taxation and gross gaming revenue investigations across 7,000 land-based gambling venues and 3,500 online operators. This resulted in fines of €1.5 million ($1.75 million) for land-based operators and €240,000 ($281,328) for online operators, reaching a combined total of €2.7 million ($3.1 million).

The regulator also confirmed that 260 devices were seized or disabled during investigations. In addition, 70 criminal complaints were filed over allegations of unpaid taxes, while manipulating gaming revenue reports led to the cancellation of 60 licences.

New legislation expands ONJN’s regulatory powers

Romania expanded the ONJN’s authority across the gambling sector by implementing Law 141 (2025). The legislation introduced new requirements for Class II operators to submit monthly reports while enabling the regulator to issue removal orders against illegal content. These reforms directly contributed to the blacklisting of more than 300 gambling websites and the issuance of 60 removal orders. 

Furthermore, Romania has strengthened monitoring systems within the land-based sector. Authorities highlighted the use of digital registers and QR-coded gaming machines, describing the model as a “unique European mechanism”. The traceability system is designed to improve transparency and reduce the risk of manipulation involving gaming equipment. 

At the same time, Romania is increasing pressure on companies connected to illegal gambling operations. Software providers, payment processors and platform partners must block unlicensed operators from accessing the regulated market.

Responsible gambling programme launched with €5m budget

Alongside enforcement activity, the regulator also launched its first state-funded responsible gambling programme called “Aware and Free”. Authorities allocated €5 million ($5.6 million) towards prevention, treatment and research initiatives linked to gambling harm.

ONJN also moved to address a backlog involving 54,000 self-exclusion requests. They proposed a unified framework featuring stricter identity verification checks, cooling-off periods and stronger penalties for defaulting operators.

Municipal gambling restrictions continue to expand

Local governments in Romania are also playing a role in gambling regulation. Iași became the first major Romanian city to fully prohibit slot machine gambling, citing concerns like addiction and social harm. Sibiu is pursuing a similar path and currently waiting for existing licences to expire before implementing restrictions. 

According to local reports, other municipalities are moving towards the gradual decentralisation of gambling policy across Romania. The combined effect of stricter enforcement, responsible gambling initiatives and municipal restrictions reflects a significant shift in how Romania manages its gambling sector. 

ONJN, Romania’s regulatory body, has been active within its first year, enforcing on land-based and online gambling nationwide. There was widespread removal of illegal content, blacklisting of unlicensed sites, and fines for defaulters. But the regulator also launched initiatives like Aware and Free to tackle gambling harm.