Romania Moves to Rebuild Gambling Self-Exclusion Rules

Romania Moves to Rebuild Gambling Self-Exclusion Rules

Romania's national gambling regulator has taken a decisive step toward reshaping how self-exclusion operates across the country's gambling market. The National Gambling Office, known as ONJN, has formally submitted a draft emergency ordinance to the Ministry of Finance, calling for immediate legislative changes to address long-standing weaknesses in the existing system. The proposal reflects growing concern that the current framework no longer offers reliable protection or consistent enforcement.

ONJN President Vlad-Cristian Soare confirmed that the draft ordinance is intended to close legal gaps that have limited the effectiveness of self-exclusion since its introduction. According to the regulator, delays in reform have allowed inconsistencies to persist across online platforms and land-based gambling venues, creating uncertainty for both operators and individuals seeking to restrict their access to gambling.

Romania introduced a national self-exclusion mechanism in 2020, pursuant to Government Decision no. 111/2016. While the initiative established a formal right for individuals to exclude themselves from gambling, its implementation has been uneven. Over time, industry representatives and regulatory observers have noted that the system lacked cohesion, particularly when exclusions were applied inconsistently across operators or formats.

These concerns became more visible last year, when ONJN clarified the application of what it described as a “single account principle.” Under this interpretation, a self-exclusion request made with one operator must apply across all platforms operated by the same company. The clarification addressed a situation in which individuals could exclude themselves from one website while continuing to gamble elsewhere. Although the measure reduced one avenue of circumvention, it did not resolve broader structural issues.

Soare assumed leadership of ONJN in May 2025 following the resignation of the previous president, who stepped down after an audit raised questions about regulatory oversight. Since taking office, Soare has framed self-exclusion reform as a necessary corrective rather than a policy upgrade. In public statements, he has described the system he inherited as operational in name but limited in practical effect.

The regulator's proposed reforms are designed to reorganise self-exclusion around a single, centralised framework. Under the draft ordinance, exclusions would be managed through one simplified network covering both online gambling services and physical venues. ONJN argues that a unified system would reduce interpretation disputes and make enforcement more consistent across the market.

Another central element of the proposal involves standardising exclusion periods. Instead of open-ended or unclear durations, individuals would select predefined timeframes, including the option to be permanently excluded. The regulator also intends to introduce mandatory cooling-off periods before exclusions can be lifted, to prevent rapid reversals that undermine the system's purpose.

The draft ordinance also places greater responsibility on operators when self-exclusion fails. If a person who has excluded themselves is allowed to gamble due to an operator's error, the operator must refund deposits made during that period. ONJN views this obligation as a corrective measure that aligns financial responsibility with compliance.

Enforcement mechanisms form a significant part of the proposal. The regulator has suggested increasing fines for breaches of self-exclusion rules, up to 100,000 lei. In cases involving repeated or serious violations, temporary licence suspensions are also an option. According to ONJN, the existing sanction framework does not adequately reflect the regulatory importance of self-exclusion obligations.

System visibility is another area targeted for reform. The proposal calls for clearer terminology and mandatory placement of self-exclusion information on gambling websites. In retail gambling locations, QR codes linking to national resources would provide direct access to exclusion tools. ONJN considers these measures essential for reducing confusion and improving awareness of available safeguards.

Beyond legislative amendments, the regulator is also planning changes to the institutional support for the system. Soare has indicated that Romanian police authorities may be involved in enforcement efforts, particularly where non-compliance persists. At the same time, ONJN intends to collaborate with the National Institute for Research and Development in Informatics to develop a modern digital infrastructure capable of supporting a fully integrated exclusion system.

The planned IT platform would allow real-time application and verification of exclusions across all licensed operators. ONJN has described the system as cost-efficient and scalable, capable of replacing fragmented reporting and manual checks. The regulator views this technological component as essential to ensuring that legislative changes translate into practical results.