Romania Closes Legal Loophole in Self-Exclusion Policy
In a bid to strengthen its self-exclusion system, Romania is taking measures to close a loophole that has been exploited by some gambling operators. The national self-exclusion system was introduced five years ago under legislation GD no. 111/2016, Article 130.
The new measures require gaming operators to apply a single-account principle for self-exclusion, aiming to prevent self-excluded individuals from switching to different operators. This change aligns Romania with European standards where self-exclusion applies universally.
However, the National Gambling Office (ONJN) is currently facing scrutiny following an audit that revealed major irregularities. The irregularities may have led to tax losses estimated between 3.3 billion and 4.3 billion RON ($721 million and $940 million).
The audit highlighted failures in overseeing licensing fees and gambling tax revenue. In response, the ONJN's president, Gheorghe-Gabriel Gheorghe, has been summoned by a parliamentary committee, but he declined to attend the hearing. Gheorghe has requested a rescheduled hearing, promising to outline the corrective actions already taken.
The USR Party, which led the audit, has proposed transferring regulatory oversight for land-based gambling to the national tax agency and for online operations to the National Bank. They have also suggested capping gambling expenditures at 10% of a player's monthly income across both online and physical venues.
Operators who fail to enforce cross-platform bans could face legal claims from players who continued gambling elsewhere. Some operators have already had to issue refunds due to legal challenges.
As of February 2025, more than 14,000 Romanians have requested self-exclusion from gambling. Gheorghe has challenged the authority of the USR Party-led committee to summon a regulatory body, but the committee remains determined to ensure transparency and accountability in the gambling industry.
Since the publication of the 2025 directive by the National Gambling Office, gambling operators have been required to update their terms and conditions, responsible gambling measures, and internal codes of conduct to align with unified European standards, including the consistent application of self-exclusion policies across all platforms. However, specific operator names are not listed in the available sources.
The new directive is a significant step towards improving the self-exclusion system in Romania and ensuring that gambling remains a safe and responsible activity for all citizens. The next few months will be crucial as the ONJN addresses the irregularities highlighted by the audit and implements the new measures.
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