Law of "slot machines" was passed by deputies in the lower house of parliament in Romania
⏱ 1 min read
(Bucharest).- Despite the unanimous vote, Romania's decision to ban gambling venues in rural areas and small communities with population of less than 15.000 residents, has triggered debate about their viability and implications".
What's known as the “law of slot machines” was passed by deputies in the lower house of parliament."It is the first law adopted in Parliament in 30 years against this mafia that has controlled the political world until now," said Alfred Simonis, the leader of the Social Democrats.
"Right now we are fighting an industry that has a total turnover of €10-12 billion."
Industry figures complain they were not consulted, and hope that the authorities will control the black market as they promised.
Despite the unanimous vote, there was some dissent within the chamber. Two opposition parties that want to ban the "scourge" of gambling outright accuse the government of collusion with the gaming sector for not taking a stronger position.
On another front Ionut Mosteanu, the leader of the opposition USR, questioned how lawmakers had set the threshold.
“They thought that slot machines only damage 15,000 people," he said. "There was not even a debate to see how many townships qualify for this 15,000. Why not 16, 17, why not two million and you would ban them definitively?"
Gambling venues have become ubiquitous across Romania over the last few decades. The National Gaming Office, the state body that monitors and approves the sector, has registered 12,000 sports betting, bingo, casino, lottery rooms.
The state collects taxes from gambling venue licenses and online ticket sales as from the amount betting houses spend on advertising.
By Gavin Blackburn
Categoría:Legislation
Tags: Sin tags
País: Romania
Región: EMEA
Event
GAT EXPO CARTAGENA 2026
24 de March 2026
Nevada’s Regulatory Model Offers Key Lessons for Latin America at GAT Expo Cartagena 2026
(Cartagena de Indias, SoloAzar Exclusive).- During GAT Expo Cartagena 2026, SoloAzar provided exclusive on-site coverage of the international conference “Lessons from Nevada’s Regulatory Model for Latin America,” where Brian Krolicki, Vice Chairman of the Nevada Gaming Commission, delivered a comprehensive overview of regulatory best practices, emphasizing that “strong regulation is not the enemy of a successful gaming industry—it is the foundation that makes long-term growth possible.”
Thursday 26 Mar 2026 / 12:00
GAT Cartagena 2026 wraps up today with a focus on innovation and networking
(Cartagena, SoloAzar Exclusive).- Cartagena woke up vibrant on the final day of GAT Expo 2026, the trade show that over three days turned the city into the epicenter of gaming and technology in Latin America. We bring you details of today’s agenda and activities.
Thursday 26 Mar 2026 / 12:00
GAT Expo Cartagena 2026: A Strategic Gathering Driving Innovation, Business, and Regulation
(Cartagena de Indias, SoloAzar Exclusive).- On the second day of GAT Expo Cartagena 2026, the exhibition at the stands officially opened, where companies are showcasing their latest developments in products, systems, and platforms, marking the start of the event’s commercial activity. SoloAzar is on-site to capture the highlights of this key industry gathering.
Wednesday 25 Mar 2026 / 12:00
SUSCRIBIRSE
Para suscribirse a nuestro newsletter, complete sus datos
Reciba todo el contenido más reciente en su correo electrónico varias veces al mes.