Romania allocates €5M to gambling harm-prevention programme
The Romanian National Office for Gambling (ONJN) has revealed its first-ever funding call, allotting €5 million ($5.6 million) to projects aimed at curbing gambling-related harm.
The “Aware and Free” programme was launched on Monday. Interested participants can apply until 11 May. ONJN will then assess eligibility and release preliminary results by 26 May, followed by independent evaluations.
The final outcomes are expected on 8 July, with successful applicants announced by 28 July. Appeals will be allowed, and contracts signed shortly after. Projects are slated to begin on 3 August and run through year-end.
This is a significant move for Romania’s gambling regulator, which is navigating a rapidly changing legal landscape as it strives to meet EU compliance requirements, rising taxes, and expanded enforcement powers.
The €5 million programme aligns with ONJN’s 2026 agenda as it emphasises transparency, player protection, and stronger oversight. President Vlad-Cristian Soare, president of ONJN, underscored the regulator’s commitment and stressed the importance of supporting vulnerable individuals through structured harm-prevention efforts.
Outside of the funding, the programme sheds light on the country’s move towards a more systematic approach to harm prevention while adding enforcement measures like blocking illegal sites and seizing unlicenced machines. This illustrates the regulator’s focus on balancing market stability with consumer protection.
Funding breakdown
The funding will be divided into three ways. €3.6 million ($4.2 million) will be allocated for the prevention and education initiatives, protection of minors, treatment and counselling services, research, digitalisation, and responsible gambling campaigns.
€1.2 million ($1.4 million) will be set aside for infrastructure projects for public authorities, including new or expanded treatment centres, while €200,000 ($234,520) will be given for studies, research, and impact assessments to guide public policy and intervention strategies.
Market context
Romania’s gambling market entered 2026 with immense pressure, despite earlier growth forecasts. Sports betting, for one, remains the dominant segment, but demand is weakening amid regulatory tightening and economic headwinds.
The Blask Index, a key industry benchmark, plunged 24.4 per cent in the first two months of the year: its second-worst start in a decade, surpassed only by 2020’s 26 per cent decline.
It was noted that in January 2026, demand dropped 12 per cent, while the following month, demand fell another 14.1 per cent, marking the weakest February in ten years. This sharp decline compared to late 2025 underscores the urgency of ONJN’s intervention.
Romania’s gambling sector was projected to grow at a 10% CAGR from 2020 to 2026, driven by online betting, foreign investment, and rising disposable incomes, according to 6Wresearch. Smartphone penetration and high-speed internet have accelerated the shift to online platforms.
Sports betting accounted for nearly half of revenues in 2019 and continues to lead, while casino games, poker, and esports are gaining traction, which was boosted by streaming platforms like Twitch and YouTube Gaming.
Yet stricter licencing rules, higher taxes, and restrictions on slot-machine venues are reshaping the market. The early 2026 slump highlights the sector’s vulnerability to broader economic downturns, making ONJN’s harm-prevention programme both timely and strategic.
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