Romania Shifts Gambling Licensing to Local Level

Romania Transfers Gambling Licensing to Local Authorities – Land-Based Operators Face Regulatory Uncertainty

Key Takeaways

• Romania has shifted gambling licensing powers from the national regulator to local councils as of 24 February 2026.
• The number of slot machines has fallen from 80,000 to 36,000 in two years, with further declines expected.
• Up to 200 localities could move to ban gambling, while several cities have already drafted prohibition plans.
• Online gambling now accounts for around 71% of the Romanian market, up from 52% in 2023.
• Operators face expiring national authorisations without clear local reapproval procedures.

Emergency Reform Transfers Licensing Power to Local Councils

In February 2026, Romania’s central government adopted an emergency measure transferring responsibility for gambling licensing from the National Office for Gambling to local authorities. The decision gives city and municipal councils the authority to veto new gambling venues, impose local zoning rules, introduce additional local taxes, or ban gambling entirely within their jurisdictions.

The reform was introduced without a transition period or prior consultation with local councils. Although authorities were given a 60 day deadline to draft local proposals, only a limited number had formally announced their plans by late April. There are no penalties for missing this deadline, leaving operators without a clear timeline for regulatory certainty.

For you as a market observer or platform user, this means that gambling regulation in Romania is no longer uniform at national level. Instead, the rules may differ significantly from one locality to another.

Sharp Decline in Slot Machines and Venue Closures

The legislative changes follow several years of tightening regulation. In 2024, Romania banned slot halls in towns with fewer than 15,000 residents and introduced stricter zoning and advertising rules. In 2025, tax increases raised levies to 27% of gross gaming revenue for online operations and 23% for retail, while annual fees per slot machine increased by €1,000.

Against this backdrop, the land based sector has contracted rapidly. The number of slot machines has fallen from 80,000 to 36,000 over the past two years. According to an industry source cited in the report, this figure could drop further to between 15,000 and 20,000 by the end of the year.

Romania currently has around 1,310 official gaming halls operated by approximately 69 licensed companies. In 2025, brick and mortar gaming generated about €1.67 billion annually, accounting for roughly one third of the total gambling market, according to H2 Gambling Capital data cited in the report.

Several operators have already closed significant parts of their retail networks. One major company has reportedly shut 60 locations and plans to close another 100. Notices at former venues inform customers that services have moved online.

Local Bans Create Patchwork Regulation

Since the February reform, several councils have moved quickly toward restrictive measures. Nine localities drafted plans to outlaw slot halls, including Slatina, Braila, Ploiesti and Iasi. Constanta signaled it may follow a similar approach. In Bucharest, District 3 is pushing for a local ban.

Under the new framework, councils can choose between allowing gambling with local conditions or imposing a total ban. According to industry representatives, they are not authorized to selectively permit certain segments while prohibiting others. However, some cities have proposed banning slot halls while keeping sports betting and lotteries.

Trade bodies argue that such selective approaches could lead to court challenges. Legal experts cited in the report expect litigation from operators contesting restrictive or inconsistent local decisions.

The reform also leaves operators in a procedural impasse. Companies holding valid national authorisations at the time of the law’s adoption may continue operating until those authorisations expire. After that, they must seek local approval. Yet in some cases, councils have not established procedures for issuing the required local permits, effectively blocking reauthorisation.

Political Uncertainty Adds to Regulatory Paralysis

The regulatory transition coincides with political instability in Bucharest. A successful vote of no confidence has removed the sitting government, leaving the administration in a caretaker role. According to the report, this situation makes further clarification of the new framework unlikely in the near term.

Without central guidance and with varying local approaches, operators face a fragmented regulatory landscape. Some municipalities have considered additional local taxes, including proposals of up to €1,500 per square metre for gambling venues, or specific building requirements for gambling premises.

For companies active in Romania, this environment complicates investment planning and long term strategy. Industry representatives state that many businesses are prioritizing compliance and reassessing expansion plans.

Shift Toward Online and Consolidation

As land based operations contract, the market balance is shifting online. Online gambling’s share of the Romanian market has increased from 52% in 2023 to approximately 71% today, according to the figures cited.

Operators are increasingly adopting omnichannel strategies or transitioning entirely to digital models. Game World, described as a leading land based operator, is considering launching an online operation, with the February decision accelerating those plans.

The tightening regulatory framework has also coincided with visible consolidation. The report references Evoke’s acquisition of Winner.ro in 2024 and Super Technologies’ move to acquire MaxBet’s Romanian and Maltese operations. Legal advisers cited attribute consolidation primarily to commercial logic, with regulatory and tax pressure reinforcing that trend.

Additional Restrictions Under Consideration

Further legislative measures are in progress. Lawmakers are considering raising the legal gambling age to 21 and introducing new advertising restrictions that could limit online promotion and the use of public figures.

At the same time, industry representatives warn that widespread local bans or excessive taxation may drive players toward unlicensed operators. According to trade associations cited in the report, demand for gambling services is unlikely to disappear if legal supply is reduced, potentially affecting tax revenues and oversight.

Our Assessment

Romania’s decision to decentralize gambling licensing has introduced significant uncertainty for land based operators. With slot machine numbers already sharply reduced and online gambling expanding its market share, the structural balance of the sector is shifting. The combination of higher taxes, potential local bans, and pending advertising and age restrictions places additional pressure on retail operators. For market participants and users, the key development is the move from a unified national framework to a locality driven system that may produce divergent rules across the country.