Romania’s gambling sector is approaching a critical turning point.

After years of regulatory inconsistency and public criticism, the country’s gambling authority is moving decisively to regain control.

The ONJN’s 2026 agenda is not cosmetic reform. Instead, it signals a structural reset of enforcement, compliance, and financial oversight.

For operators, 2026 will reward preparedness and punish complacency.

Key Points

• ONJN is centralising licensing fees into one transparent payment system.
• A national self-exclusion framework will cover all gambling channels.
• Technology will drive transparency through QR and digital platforms.
• Illegal online gambling enforcement will intensify further.
• Social harm prevention receives its first structured funding.

Romania’s ONJN Sets a Tough 2026 Compliance Agenda for the Gambling Industry

A Regulator Rebuilding Credibility

The National Office for Gambling (ONJN) has formally presented its 2026 operational and compliance programme, outlining a comprehensive strategy to restore regulatory authority across Romania’s gambling market.

ONJN president Vlad-Cristian Soare, appointed in May, has framed the plan as a necessary response to years of institutional weakness highlighted by a highly critical audit.

According to Soare, 2025 forced the regulator onto an “uncomfortable path,” yet produced measurable results. These included the seizure of more than 200 illegal gaming machines, the blocking of over 200 unlicensed gambling websites, and the initiation of 48 criminal complaints linked to unlicensed operations and financial crime.

This data reflects a shift from reactive supervision toward active market policing.

Enforcement First, but With Structure

Enforcement remains the cornerstone of ONJN’s 2026 strategy.

However, the regulator is now pairing enforcement with systemic controls designed to prevent repeat violations.

One major reform involves unifying all licensing and regulatory payments into a single ONJN account. Until now, operators faced fragmented payment obligations across multiple accounts and institutions.

From 2026, licence fees, authorisation charges, penalties, and regulatory contributions will flow through one centralised system.

This change aims to reduce administrative errors, improve audit traceability, and eliminate grey areas in fee compliance. For operators, it also means clearer financial accountability and fewer excuses for late or incorrect payments.

Centralised Self-Exclusion and Player Protection

A flagship initiative in the 2026 agenda is the launch of a nationwide self-exclusion system, covering both online and land-based gambling.

The system will be managed exclusively by ONJN, removing discretion from individual operators.

Self-exclusion will include predefined durations, strict activation timelines, and a mandatory cool-off period before any withdrawal request can be processed.

This reform addresses long-standing loopholes where players could circumvent exclusions by switching operators or channels.

In parallel, ONJN plans to introduce automated monitoring of bonuses and player transactions, allowing earlier detection of risky behaviour.

Transparency Through Technology.

ONJN is also investing heavily in digital transparency tools.

From early 2026, all slot machines and VLTs will be integrated into a QR-based geolocation system linked to ONJN’s central registry.

Any citizen will be able to scan a machine and instantly verify its location, owner, licensing status, and operational authorisation.

This move significantly raises the reputational risk of non-compliance and empowers the public as an indirect enforcement layer.

Additionally, ONJN will fully digitise its interaction with operators through a new electronic document and reporting platform. Licensing applications, compliance submissions, and official correspondence will transition to a fully online environment.

Tackling Illegal Online Gambling

ONJN continues to prioritise illegal online gambling.

In 2025, the regulator reported a 98% takedown rate for illegal gambling advertisements across platforms owned by Meta, Google, and TikTok.

This cooperation will intensify in 2026, supported by faster domain blocking procedures and closer coordination with payment service providers.

The regulator has also expanded its WhatsApp reporting channel, allowing citizens to flag illegal gambling activity directly. This crowdsourced approach significantly increases detection capacity.

Social Responsibility Moves to the Forefront

For the first time, ONJN is backing enforcement with structured social investment.

In 2026, €5 million will be allocated to local authorities and civil society organisations for prevention, education, and intervention programmes.

This funding signals a shift toward a public-health perspective on gambling, rather than a purely fiscal or punitive approach.

In my view, this balance is long overdue.

Political Context and Legislative Pressure

Despite these reforms, ONJN operates under intense political scrutiny.

Roughly 20 legislative proposals are currently under debate, including raising the gambling age to 21, banning untargeted advertising, restricting sponsorships, and even replacing ONJN entirely.

Soare himself has acknowledged that Romania’s gambling law is “morally outdated.”

This reality makes 2026 a defining year. ONJN must demonstrate competence, independence, and measurable impact—or risk institutional restructuring.

Conclusion: 2026 Will Define Romania’s Gambling Future

ONJN’s 2026 agenda represents the most ambitious regulatory reset Romania has attempted in over a decade.

Centralised payments, digital enforcement tools, and unified player protection frameworks signal a regulator determined to reclaim authority.

Success will depend on execution and consistency, not announcements.

For operators, 2026 is no longer about adapting later. It is about aligning now—or facing consequences in a market that is finally enforcing its rules.

Tags: #RomaniaGambling #ONJN #iGamingCompliance #RegulatoryReform #ResponsibleGambling