ONJN Maps Out 2026 as a Year of Compliance

ONJN Maps Out 2026 as a Year of Compliance

Romania's gambling regulator is entering 2026 with a clear objective: to stabilise oversight and reassert its role after a period marked by criticism and institutional strain. The National Gambling Office (ONJN) has published its programme for the year ahead, presenting it as a corrective roadmap shaped by the findings of a critical audit and by growing political pressure around gambling regulation more broadly.

For ONJN president Vlad-Cristian Soare, who took office in May last year, the agenda reflects both continuity and recalibration. Speaking about the regulator's recent trajectory, Soare has acknowledged that 2025 was not a comfortable year for the institution. Internal shortcomings were laid bare, and public confidence weakened as details of regulatory failures became widely discussed. At the same time, he has argued that the past year allowed ONJN to begin rebuilding its operational footing, particularly in areas that had long drawn concern.

Enforcement activity has been central to that effort. Throughout 2025, the regulator intensified action against unlicensed gambling, reporting the seizure of more than 200 gaming machines across the country. In parallel, ONJN moved against illegal online operators, blocking over 200 websites and filing dozens of criminal complaints linked to financial offences and unlawful gambling activity. While such measures do not resolve deeper structural issues on their own, they marked a more visible regulatory presence than in previous years.

The regulator has also sought to expand its detection channels by involving the public more directly. One of the practical steps introduced was a WhatsApp-based reporting line that enabled citizens to flag suspected illegal machines. This tool has been positioned as a supplement to traditional inspections, particularly in regions with limited enforcement capacity. Online, ONJN has reported a high rate of compliance from major platforms, stating that most illegal gambling content flagged on services operated by Meta, Google, and TikTok was removed following notification.

Looking to 2026, ONJN has made clear that enforcement will remain the foundation of its strategy. Two systems scheduled for launch in the first quarter are intended to address long-standing gaps in both consumer protection and market transparency. The first is a nationwide self-exclusion scheme covering land-based and online gambling. Unlike earlier approaches that relied heavily on operator-level implementation, the new system will be administered centrally by ONJN. It introduces defined exclusion periods and a mandatory cooling-off phase, aiming to standardise how exclusions are applied and monitored across the market.

The second initiative targets oversight of physical gambling infrastructure. A geolocation-based QR code system will be linked to ONJN's central register, allowing members of the public and enforcement bodies to verify where gaming machines are installed, who owns them, and whether they are properly licensed. By making this information easier to access, the regulator hopes to reduce ambiguity around machine placement and ownership, issues that have historically complicated inspections and compliance checks.

Digitalisation plays a broader role in the 2026 programme. ONJN plans to introduce automated monitoring of transactions and bonuses, moving away from reliance on delayed or fragmented reporting. A new electronic document platform will allow operators to submit filings and communicate with the regulator entirely online, streamlining administrative processes and improving traceability. These changes will be supported by a redesigned ONJN website and an updated petitions portal, intended to make regulatory procedures more transparent and easier to navigate.

Beyond control and monitoring, the agenda also signals a shift toward more structured harm-reduction policy. For the first time, ONJN has committed dedicated funding to community-level initiatives, allocating €5 million in 2026 to local authorities and civil society organisations. The funding is earmarked for prevention, education, and intervention programmes, reflecting an attempt to move beyond enforcement-only responses and toward a broader regulatory role that includes social impact considerations.

All of this unfolds against a backdrop of heightened political scrutiny. Romania's gambling framework has become the subject of sustained legislative attention, with lawmakers submitting around 20 draft bills proposing changes of varying scope. Some focus on tightening access, such as raising the legal gambling age to 21, while others seek to limit advertising or restrict sponsorships in sport. The volume of proposals points to a lack of consensus but also to a shared view that the current framework is under strain.

Soare has aligned himself with calls for legislative reform, describing existing gambling law as morally outdated. His position suggests that ONJN sees legal revision as necessary if the regulator is to regain credibility. At the same time, some lawmakers have questioned whether reform should extend to the regulator itself, with proposals circulating to replace ONJN with a new supervisory body. While no such step has been taken, the debate underscores the pressure surrounding the institution.

The 2026 programme does not promise rapid transformation. Instead, it outlines a series of incremental adjustments to address specific weaknesses while preserving the regulatory system. The focus on enforcement tools, digital oversight, and formalised harm-reduction funding points to an effort to demonstrate control and consistency before broader reforms are considered.