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Romania's gambling regulator unveils bold reforms after turbulent 2025

From illegal crackdowns to self-exclusion schemes, Romania's gambling watchdog is racing to fix its broken reputation. Can tech and transparency win back public confidence?

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Romania's gambling regulator unveils bold reforms after turbulent 2025

Romania's gambling regulator, ONJN, faced a difficult year in 2025 due to internal issues and declining public trust. The institution has now outlined plans to strengthen oversight, improve transparency, and introduce new harm-reduction measures in 2026.

President Vlad-Cristian Soare admitted the past year was challenging but emphasised the need for reform, calling current gambling laws morally outdated.

In 2025, ONJN took stronger action against illegal gambling by seizing over 200 unlicensed gaming machines. It also blocked access to more than 200 unregulated online gambling sites. A new WhatsApp-based reporting line was launched, allowing citizens to flag suspected illegal machines, while major online platforms showed high compliance with regulatory requests.

Romanian lawmakers have proposed around 20 draft bills to reform the gambling sector. Some focus on stricter access controls, while others aim to limit advertising and sponsorships. Meanwhile, certain politicians have suggested replacing ONJN entirely with a new supervisory body, adding pressure on the regulator.

To improve operations, ONJN will roll out automated monitoring of transactions and bonuses in 2026. An electronic document platform will also be introduced, alongside updates to its website and petitions portal. These changes aim to boost transparency and traceability.

Further plans for 2026 include a nationwide self-exclusion scheme for problem gamblers. A geolocation-based QR code system will also be implemented to monitor physical gambling infrastructure. Additionally, €5 million has been allocated for community-level harm-reduction programmes, covering prevention, education, and intervention.

ONJN's reforms seek to stabilise gambling oversight and restore its authority. The regulator's focus on technology, transparency, and public health measures reflects its push to address past shortcomings. Implementation of these changes will determine whether confidence in the institution can be rebuilt.

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