Forbidden until 21 years old. A new bill changes the rules of access and exposure to gambling

The age of access to gambling halls could increase from 18 to 21, and this represents "a form of protection for the youth of Romania". This is provided for in a project supported by the parliamentarians of the governing coalition who also propose to ban online gambling advertisements between 6 am and midnight.

The project also prohibits the participation of influencers or public figures from Romania in promoting the gambling industry.

A form of protection for young people in Romania
PNL MP Raluca Turcan, the initiator of one of the two projects, explained that there is consensus among all parties in the governing coalition regarding raising the age of access to gambling halls from 18 to 21.

"At this age, between 18 and 21, young people are either preparing to enter , also to have financial stability.

Countries such as Portugal, Greece or the Republic of Moldova have already applied this measure and it has produced effects”, stated Raluca Turcan.university studies, the labor market. They are already facing responsibilities of financial independence, 

Gambling advertisements banned on the Internet between 6 am and midnight
"The second draft law regulates gambling advertising much more strictly and practically adapts the legislation on gambling advertising to the digital reality we all live in. Specifically, it prohibits the provision of advertisements in the online environment between 6 am and midnight, that is, exactly during the period when children and young people are active on social networks and sometimes there is no supervision by parental control”, the PNL deputy also specified.

“The law also extends the period of prohibition of advertisements in the audiovisual space between 6 and 24, not 6 and 23, as it is currently. The project also introduces the obligation of economic operators in the field of gambling to display clear, warning messages regarding how harmful gambling addiction is”, she added.

Influencers will no longer be able to advertise gambling
“In addition, the project also prohibits the participation of influencers or public figures in Romania in promoting the gambling industry. Why? Obviously, young people do not react to classic commercials, but rather are influenced by models they follow daily on the Internet.”

"When a popular figure recommends or normalizes betting, the message sent is toxic, that gambling is basically acceptable, cool or profitable behavior”, Raluca Turcan explained.

Former Minister of Culture, Raluca Turcan, says that, through these legislative changes, Romania is aligning itself with European practices. "We reaffirm a fundamental principle, namely that the best interests of the child are more important than the profits of the gambling industries. I am glad that we have the support of all parties in the governing coalition," she said.

Diana Stoica (USR): The child plays or watches cartoons and is bombarded with gambling advertisements
Also, the USR deputy stated that Romania is facing a "national drama" regarding gambling addiction.

“I have seen children who have committed suicide in front of the gambling hall that was located near their high school. Not a day goes by when a mother or father does not write to us, literally desperate, saying that they no longer know how to protect their child. They leave the apartment building, come across a gambling hall, go to school, come across an advertisement for gambling.”

"Online, also has this challenge. The child plays or watches cartoons and is bombarded with gambling advertisements”, said Diana Stoica.

The latest study recently conducted by the Center for Political Ideas and the French Embassy reveals that “one in four teenagers played these machines of death before the current age of majority, 18 years old".

"The beginning of gambling addiction begins very early. Children start playing at the age of 14. We already know from scientists that until the age of 21, our brain is still developing, especially those areas related to control and reason. We know that an addiction also steals control and reason, and children are much more vulnerable from this point of view.

That is why I have proposed these two legislative projects. They are to increase the age of access from 18 to 21 years old.

Raluca Turcan: There are projects blocked in Parliament due to the influence of the gambling industry
When asked if the state is prepared to fight the gambling industry, Raluca Turcan admitted that there are legislative initiatives blocked in Parliament as a result of the influence of the gambling industry.

"We are trying, although many bills with good ideas are blocked in Parliament and as a result of the influence of the gambling industry on some politicians.

It is a reality that we do not want to hide under the rug.

14% of high school students say that they have played, entered gambling halls and also 3 out of 10 children say that they know someone who has used drugs in Romania”, mentioned Raluca Turcan.

The two legislative projects were submitted to the Chamber of Deputies, as the first forum notified.