Romania Signs Deal to Reform National Gambling Self-Exclusion System

Romania is set to rebuild its gambling self-exclusion process from the ground up. ONJN has teamed up with ICI Bucharest to develop a new state-run digital solution that will take over from the existing setup, which regulators consider outdated and ineffective.

The cooperation document was signed on February 9, 2026. It comes alongside plans to amend gambling legislation through an emergency ordinance. Officials have openly stated that the current rules leave too much room for inconsistent application and do not guarantee the same standards across all licensed operators. The reform aims to close those gaps by creating a single national register managed directly by the regulator.

Under the planned model, players will be able to submit exclusion requests online by uploading an ID document and completing biometric identity verification. The intention is to remove the need for separate technical processes that previously operated in parallel without proper coordination.

According to ONJN management, the rollout follows a step-by-step structure: first ensuring the mechanism functions under existing law, then adjusting the legal framework, and finally introducing the new centralized IT system to support nationwide enforcement.

Central register to cover all licensed operators

The reform establishes a unified exclusion register administered directly by the regulator. Once entered into the system, a person’s exclusion status will apply across the entire licensed gambling market, including both online services and land-based venues.

Applicants will be able to select a defined exclusion period or opt for an open-ended ban. Early cancellation will not be possible due to a mandatory cooling-off rule. If a licensed company permits gambling activity in breach of an active exclusion, the affected individual will be entitled to reimbursement of deposits, with withdrawals deducted.

Physical gambling locations must introduce electronic identification checks and maintain surveillance controls to prevent access by excluded persons. Failure to comply may result in fines between 50,000 and 100,000 lei (approximately $11,600–$23,200). Repeated violations can lead to temporary suspension of operating rights.

The updated rules also formally distinguish between operator-imposed limits agreed privately with a client and state-managed self-exclusion. The former remains optional and company-specific, while the latter will have binding effect nationwide.

Operators will be required to display detailed information about the procedure on their websites and inside their premises, including QR codes directing users to the regulator’s official channel. Law enforcement authorities will receive extended powers to assist with compliance checks alongside ONJN inspectors.

Analysis: compliance pressure rises, barriers to help decrease

The overhaul changes the balance of responsibility in Romania’s gambling sector. For players, the introduction of remote identification and a single exclusion register removes the practical obstacle of submitting separate requests to different operators. The centralized approach closes a loophole that previously allowed individuals to move between brands despite seeking exclusion.

For casinos and other licensed companies, the reform increases operational obligations. Investment in identification technology, internal audit processes, and staff training will become mandatory rather than optional. The financial exposure linked to penalties — combined with the possibility of license suspension — raises the cost of non-compliance.

Strategically, the move aligns Romania with a broader European trend toward stricter consumer protection standards. While short-term expenses for operators will increase, a clearly defined exclusion regime may reduce reputational risk and regulatory uncertainty over time. This is particularly relevant as the Romanian market continues to attract major international names — for example, Soft2Bet recently launched its second licensed brand in the country, underscoring growing interest in a jurisdiction that is simultaneously tightening oversight and expanding commercially.