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
José Aníbal Aguirre: "GAT Expo Cartagena is today a strategic meeting point for the industry"
(Cartagena de Indias, SoloAzar Exclusive).- In this one-on-one interview, José Aníbal Aguirre, CEO of GAT Events, makes an exhaustive balance after another edition of GAT Expo Cartagena 2026.
Tuesday 07 Apr 2026 / 12:00
Win Systems wraps up a successful presence at GAT Expo Cartagena 2026
(Barcelona).- Global technology provider for the gaming and entertainment industry, Win Systems, successfully concluded its participation at GAT Expo Cartagena 2026, one of the most important events in the Latin American sector. On March 25 and 26, the company turned its Stand A7 into a prominent meeting point for operators, clients, and industry professionals, showcasing its latest technological innovations and gaming solutions.
Monday 06 Apr 2026 / 12:00
GAT Expo Cartagena: The Right Product for Every Client is Novomatic’s main goal, according to Manuel Del Sol
(Cartagena, SoloAzar Exclusive).- NOVOMATIC Gaming Colombia highlighted its latest innovations and strategic vision during GAT Expo Cartagena 2026. In an exclusive interview, CEO Manuel Del Sol discussed the company’s regional expansion, product launches, and commitment to meeting the diverse needs of operators across Latin America.
Monday 06 Apr 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.