To combat compulsive gambling and enhance control, Romania has enacted laws restricting gaming enterprises in towns with less than 15,000 citizens. The National Gaming Office is able to keep an updated public register and monitor illicit businesses thanks to the legislation. Concerns about leadership nominations and data accuracy still exist, though.

Romania Tightens Gambling Laws in Context of Growing Industry

As a result of the gambling industry's growth in Romania, the government has actively intervened through legislation to address the largest problem that has arisen: problem gambling. The country's lawmakers decided to outlaw all gambling establishments with slot machines in townships and villages with fewer than 15,000 residents. 

With a €12 billion valuation, this industry, which is prominently located within ROM-AERO, is a genuinely significant economic power symbol for the Romanian economy. A few opponents of the initiative, who have voiced their concerns and called the government inept partners in the gaming industry, have shown admirable support for it.

Ionut Mosteanu, the leader of the opposition party USR, pointed out that there was room for improvement in the selection process' design. The leader questioned if the selection process was fair and effective by posing the question of why so many distinct communities (those with more than 15,000 residents) are being picked out for being sustainable, while others are having to worry about them.  

A number of concerns for more justice and consistency as reported by the legislation have been brought up in the debate.

Regulatory Coordination and Supervision Initiatives

At the recent National Parliamentary meeting in Romania, the National Gaming Office of Romania (ONJN) was given more significant authority to stop the growth of illegal gaming networks. The measure was enrolled after receiving a majority vote of 243, two votes against, and four abstentions. It includes of a public registry that will be used as a control mechanism by all gaming businesses with licenses, including those operating online.

The organization with the most accurate and up-to-date registry of all the operators under observation in Romania ought to be ONJN. Even though these bands perform in a casino setting, there are still a lot of people who struggle with gambling: 100,000 people are estimated to be addicted to gaming. However, thorough surveys of gambling problems have not been conducted in large enough quantities, as of 2016, therefore the current numbers are unclear.

In addition, ONJN has struggled with an attempt to hire a stylist with a celebrity background for its services, which has prompted the regulator to address concerns about reliability and value.