Romania Begins Review of Analog Gambling Laws

Romania's gambling regulator ONJN has convened its Advisory Council to discuss gambling reforms. The authority is under pressure because of inconsistent rules and is trying to regain trust in its oversight. The meeting will take place on Wednesday, 18 November at 11:00.

The agenda includes addiction treatment, self-exclusion from gambling, illegal online gambling, the registration of licences, and supervision. ONJN announced on 2 November that it was reviewing national gambling legislation to remove outdated provisions and inconsistencies in the sector. The council meeting gives this review a clearer agenda, but no timeline has been given for when the review will be completed.

In its initial statement, the authority said its legal working group had been tasked with analysing and harmonising the legislation, and that the aim is to bring order to the entire regulatory framework. The review was carried out under the order of ONJN President Valentin-Ioan Tomescu and is part of a broader administrative assessment. According to a report published by iGaming Expert on 16 September, digitalisation, staffing, and addiction treatment were among the priorities in that assessment. It also found that staff shortages existed and that workflows needed improvement.

The council also plans to consult on a framework regulation covering online activities, fixed-odds betting, and land-based gaming halls. The authority aims to produce consistent legal and administrative measures. How player protection will be reflected in the rules will be one of the most important tests of the meeting.