In Romania, a draft bill backed by city mayors proposes the introduction of local control over gambling, including new taxes on licences. This would mean a reduction of the National Gambling Office’s (ONJN) authority in regulating the sector.
The bill, presented by the Ministry of Development, would give municipalities the right to license or ban gambling establishments based on local development priorities, urban planning, public order, and public health.
Although national licensing would remain under ONJN’s control, mayors are pushing for a transfer of powers that would allow them to decide where and how gambling venues operate in their districts.
Currently, operators need only a national licence, with local authorities limited to a notification role. The reform proposes the introduction of new “zoning authorisations,” enabling city officials to designate areas where gambling activity is permitted.
The initiative is being spearheaded by Nelu Popa, Mayor of Reșița, who has urged the government to grant more powers to local authorities, citing ONJN’s failure to enforce restrictions. He argued that this has led to a proliferation of betting shops and gaming halls where no operators appear to follow the rules.
The Romanian government is once again reviewing a proposal that could have a significant impact on the gambling sector. The bill also envisions additional taxation: local councils want to impose a direct levy to offset the social costs of gambling.
The Ministry of Development stated that the reform would “create the premises for real public control over an economic activity with high social risk, adapted to the context of each community.” It also emphasized the need to fund social assistance, public order, and community services.
The push for local taxation coincides with recent federal changes to tax rates on online gambling, including differentiated tariffs for verticals and player winnings. The new government is seeking to close a budget deficit estimated at 30 billion lei (around €6.6bn).
The Ministry of Development intends to include the bill in a “new package of fiscal measures” to be reviewed by newly elected President Nicușor Dan and Finance Minister Barna Tánczos.
A series of demands from city halls reflects the loss of trust in ONJN after a damning audit, which revealed that between 2019 and 2023 weak oversight and outdated technologies resulted in nearly €1bn in unpaid taxes and fees.
The scandal led to a leadership change. Former president Gheorghe-Gabriel Gheorghe refused to appear before parliament and resigned. In April 2025, he was replaced by Vlad-Cristian Soare, who pledged to tighten enforcement and restore credibility.
Nevertheless, calls for the complete dissolution of ONJN are growing louder. The Save Romania Union (USR), a coalition partner in President Nicușor Dan’s government, argues that only a full reform can restore public trust. Since ONJN failed to account for its shortcomings before parliament, USR insists its powers should be transferred to the Ministry of Finance and the National Tax Administration Agency (ANAF).
As an interim measure, USR has proposed capping player deposits at 10% of their income. ONJN objected, stating that such controls cannot technically be implemented in Romania.
Industry observers note that wider reforms are still at an early stage. In commentary shared with SBC, consultancy 4H Agency explained: “The draft law, officially titled ‘On measures to increase the financial capacity of administrative-territorial units, including amendments to related acts’, remains at the Government stage.
“The proposal has completed public consultation and received a favourable opinion from the Economic and Social Council on 29 August 2025. However, it has not yet been registered in Parliament. The next procedural step will be a Government decision to submit the draft for parliamentary debate and vote.”
Thus far 2025 has been a year of unrelenting ruptures and conflicts for Romanian gambling, underscored by the clear regulatory failings of ONJN. Amid political change at the federal level, parties remain divided over taxation, licensing, market rules and enforcement duties.
The state of constant disruption has left Romania losing ground to neighbouring jurisdictions, where regulatory stability has encouraged investment and innovation in gambling enterprises. As a new government settles, local observers look to 2026 as a period of reckoning for Romania to solve the regulatory dysfunctions of gambling and its governance.
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