2026 has brought several legislative initiatives affecting Romania’s gambling market to Parliament. Four of them, all amending Government Emergency Ordinance (GEO) no. 77/2009, have already passed through the Senate and are now before the Chamber of Deputies, which has the final say. None has yet reached a final vote.

1. Minimum age of 21 (PL-x 88/2026)

The bill raises the minimum age for taking part in gambling from 18 to 21 and bans persons under that age from gaming venues. The Senate adopted it, even though its specialist committees had recommended rejection.

For operators, adoption would mean adapting age-verification and customer-identification procedures, both online and in land-based venues.

Status: adopted by the Senate in February 2026; currently under review by the committees of the Chamber of Deputies.

2. Restrictions on online advertising (PL-x 87/2026)

The bill aims to protect minors by limiting the online promotion of gambling. Online gambling advertising would be prohibited between 06:00 and 24:00, and advertising featuring public figures would be prohibited on all platforms.

Adoption would narrow the window in which online campaigns can run and would require a review of promotional partnerships with public figures.

Status: adopted by the Senate in February 2026; currently under review by the committees of the Chamber of Deputies.

3. A 1% fund for addiction prevention (PL-x 491/2026)

The bill redirects 1% of the fees provided for by GEO no. 77/2009 from the state budget to a special fund managed by the National Gambling Office (ONJN), under an annual plan approved by Government decision. The fund could finance counselling and treatment centres, awareness campaigns, training for addiction specialists and projects run by non-governmental organisations.

The level of fees paid by operators stays the same; only the destination of part of them changes.

Status: tacitly adopted by the Senate in June 2026; currently under review by the committees of the Chamber of Deputies.

4. Mandatory self-exclusion for public officials (PL-x 25/2026)

The initiative would require persons holding public dignitary positions or management roles in public institutions to register in the National Register of Self-Excluded Persons. The Legislative Council, the Economic and Social Council and the Government issued negative opinions, and the Senate rejected it.

The final decision, however, rests with the Chamber of Deputies. If adopted, operators’ checks against the Register would extend to a new category of persons.

Status: rejected by the Senate in December 2025; currently under review by the committees of the Chamber of Deputies.

What comes next

After committee review, the proposals will go to a final vote in the plenary of the Chamber of Deputies. The adopted text may differ from the original, through amendments made in committee or in plenary.

Note

Information current as of 23 October 2026, based on the legislative records of the Romanian Senate and Chamber of Deputies. This material is for general information purposes only and does not constitute legal advice.

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