Romania gambling industry shifts from physical halls to online platforms

The gambling landscape in Romania is undergoing a significant shift as physical slot machine halls decline in favor of digital platforms. Following local authority decisions regarding operating conditions, the number of authorized slot machines nationwide has decreased by 45% since the beginning of the year.

In Bucharest, the number of gambling halls has dropped from 830 in March to approximately 230. Sorin Georgescu, president of ROMSLOT, suggests that over 70% of gambling halls nationwide may have already closed, with that figure potentially exceeding 80% by late 2024. In municipalities with fewer than 15,000 inhabitants, halls have been closed in accordance with current legislation.

As physical locations disappear, activity is migrating to the online sector. This digital transition emphasizes the importance of regulatory compliance. In Romania, the National Gambling Office (ONJN) is the sole government body mandated to regulate the industry. Licensed operators must display official Class I licenses, which are valid for ten years, to ensure consumer protection and legal transparency.