A new strategy is set to be implemented in Romania in a bid to tackle the threat of gambling addiction.
In plans put forward on Friday, July 19, President Klaus Iohannis unveiled a decree co-sponsored by the Romanian Ministry of Health and Ministry of Justice to create eight “regional addiction treatment centers.”
Key to the strategy is a localised approach for each region in focus, as the new strategy aims to address current ‘treatment inadequacies’ for drug, alcohol and gambling addictions within Romania, particularly for those under 25.
Minister of Justice, Alina Gorghiu, endorsed the project, citing that the current framework to combat addictions left Romanians exposed as treatment options were primarily offered by private clinics and NGOs. Gorghiu stated:
I’m glad that the party I belong to, PNL, initiated this law because in Romania the state could not properly treat these big problems that are especially among the young generation.
The Justice Ministry will oversee the project, which would see the government prioritize funding and building regional drug treatment centers, although no specific time frame has been specified.
Regional MPs and mayors have expressed growing concerns about gambling addiction, with more than 25,000 gambling establishments operating across the country.
In April, Prime Minister Marcel Ciolaku authorized a decree banning “gambling establishments in cities with fewer than 15,000 registered residents.”
However, an intervention by the Supreme Court of Cassation deemed that PM Ciolacu must implement his executive order as a federal law requiring a constitutional review.
Romania’s licensed operators are currently adjusting to new tax rates applied to gambling winnings of 3 per cent on winnings up to 10,000 lei (€2,000), a fixed tax plus 20 per cent on winnings between 10,001 and 66,750 lei, and a fixed tax plus 40 per cent on winnings over 66,750 lei (€13,350).
Despite concerns about gambling addiction, Romania’s government has not funded a census on the issue since 2015, leaving authorities uninformed about the exact percentage of harm.
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