The National Office for Gambling (ONJN) in Romania has stepped up efforts to enhance enforcement and player protection in its first year of operation, according to its recent report for the period from April 2025 to April 2026.
The ONJN has issued over 60 illegal content removal orders and blacklisted more than 300 sites that were not licensed to operate legally, as a result of its expanded authority provided by new legislation. In addition, it has begun investigations related to taxation and gross gaming revenues (GGR) resulting in 70 criminal complaints being filed and 60 licenses being revoked.
The ONJN created an initial state-funded responsible gambling program called “Aware and Free” with a five million euro budget that covers prevention, treatment and research.
The ONJN has addressed a backlog of self-exclusion requests from as many as approximately 54,000 players in the self-exclusion system at present and has proposed a unified framework that includes stricter ID verification and penalties.
ONJN’s president, Vlad-Cristian Soare, indicated:
This year has shown that change is possible. It does not come easily and is not done without resistance. There have been roadblocks, opposition and attempts to slow down essential projects, both from within and without. The direction has been maintained, the projects have continued and the investigations and initiatives initiated must be followed through.
