The Romanian government is on the verge of dismantling the National Gambling Office (ONJN), the country’s central regulatory authority for gambling activities. This decision follows months of political pressure, growing public dissatisfaction, and an audit revealing that Romania lost nearly €1 billion in gambling tax revenue due to the ONJN’s regulatory shortcomings. The government’s move to abolish ONJN comes shortly after the appointment of Vlad-Cristian Soare to head the regulator, with hopes that his leadership would resolve the years of dysfunction that plagued the agency.
A Failed Attempt at Reform
Despite Soare’s initial promises of bringing professionalism and integrity to the ONJN, attempts to reform the regulator hit a significant roadblock. The legal grey areas, ineffective oversight, and mounting public dissatisfaction underscored the difficulty in restoring trust. Critics argue that the ONJN’s inability to modernize and adapt to changes in the gambling landscape has led to widespread regulatory failures.
A report from Romania’s Court of Accounts reveals that the ONJN’s failures resulted in the loss of nearly €1 billion in gambling tax revenue between 2019 and 2023. The audit highlighted outdated IT systems, a lack of oversight on return-to-player rates, and an inability to track who was licensed or paying taxes. Furthermore, the ONJN struggled to adapt to the 2019 tax reforms, which introduced a 2% monthly tax on online gambling participation fees, exacerbating the situation.
While Soare, who took over the role just weeks ago, outlined plans to overhaul the agency’s internal systems, improve staffing, and collaborate more closely with the National Tax Administration Agency (ANAF), these efforts were seen as insufficient by many critics. As the situation worsened, some lawmakers called for ONJN’s powers to be transferred to the Ministry of Finance and ANAF, arguing that the agency had lost both credibility and the capacity to regulate effectively.
A Growing Black Market Threat
One of the major concerns raised by critics is the growing black market for gambling. Advocacy groups and addiction specialists warn that delays in implementing responsible gambling measures have pushed vulnerable players towards black market operators who offer no protection and function outside the realm of legal oversight. This has led to calls for urgent action to protect players and regulate the sector more effectively.
New Tax Measures and Gambling Reforms
In related developments, the Romanian government is also considering new tax measures that could significantly impact the gambling sector. Among the tax reforms being discussed is a potential 20% tax on gambling activities, with a health contribution also withheld. These measures come as part of broader discussions on taxation in Romania, which also include proposals to tax influencers and introduce a solidarity tax on high-income individuals.
Progress on Gambling Self-Exclusion Bill
Meanwhile, Romania’s Senate has recently adopted a legislative proposal aimed at improving the country’s gambling addiction prevention efforts. The bill mandates that the ONJN create a self-exclusion button on its website, allowing players to opt out of gambling services if they feel the need to limit their access. This initiative also calls for the establishment of a national registry of self-excluded individuals, which would be accessible to gambling operators to help prevent addiction.
The proposal, backed by 118 votes in favor and only eight against, is now heading to the Chamber of Deputies for further debate. Under this legislation, players will be able to request self-exclusion for periods of 12, 24, or 36 months, and gambling operators will be required to honor these requests. In addition, players who opt for self-exclusion will be entitled to a refund for amounts wagered during the self-exclusion period, within 48 hours of submitting a request.
Call for Stricter Gambling Regulations
At the same time, there is a push for more stringent regulations on gambling advertising. The National Audiovisual Council (CNA) has proposed a ban on gambling advertisements featuring public figures or celebrities who could encourage participation in such activities, particularly in online environments. These ads would only be allowed during late-night hours or live sporting events, marking a significant shift in how gambling promotions are handled in Romania.
The proposed changes reflect Romania’s ongoing efforts to tighten its gambling laws, with a focus on eliminating illegal platforms while enhancing responsible gambling initiatives. The government’s decision to dismantle ONJN and introduce stricter regulatory measures aims to address the growing concerns about gambling addiction and the black market, as well as to improve the country’s approach to regulating gambling activities.
Source:
“Romania set to dismantle gambling regulator”, sigma.world, June 9, 2025
