Key Moments:
- FEDBET warned on November 9 that up to 80% of Romania’s authorized slot venues could exit the market by the end of 2026 due to inaction by local authorities.
- By November 1, the number of authorized slot machines had fallen from 43,306 in March to 15,579; projections indicate a further drop to 9,096 by January 2027 unless councils intervene.
- FEDBET anticipates total sector losses could reach €320 million by year-end, following significant declines in gambling tax revenue and estimated job cuts affecting 8,500 positions.
Sector Turbulence Amid Licensing Deadlock
Romania’s land-based gaming landscape is rapidly contracting as operators face difficulties in renewing venue permits, a situation that industry representatives attribute to stalled local council decisions. According to the Federation of Romanian Gambling Organisers (FEDBET), the lack of municipal resolutions could lead to a dramatic contraction, impacting as much as 80% of authorized slot venues nationwide by the close of 2026. This warning was issued by the federation on November 9.
Sharp Decline in Authorized Slot Machines
FEDBET, referencing publicly available information, reported that the count of legally authorized slot machines stood at 43,306 in March. This figure plunged to 15,579 by November 1. If the current legislative holdup continues, projections place the total at just 9,096 machines by January 1, 2027, representing a 42% decrease over a two-month span.
| Date | Authorized Slot Machines |
|---|---|
| March | 43,306 |
| November 1 | 15,579 |
| Projected January 1, 2027 | 9,096 |
Local Authority Decisions Critical Under New Ordinance
The core issue stems from Emergency Government Ordinance (GEO) No. 7/2026, introduced in February as a part of public administration reforms. The ordinance stipulates that each local council must pass a resolution to permit gambling within its jurisdiction. Operators need this council-issued permission in addition to their national gambling license, and local authorities are responsible for setting annual taxes on operations. The absence of these resolutions effectively blocks city halls from issuing required local permits, in turn preventing the National Office for Gambling (ONJN) from renewing operating authorizations.
FEDBET highlighted that less than 4% of Romania’s approximately 3,100 administrative-territorial units have adopted the necessary decisions, despite a legal deadline passing in April. Industry appeals to local authorities reportedly remain unanswered.
Venue Closures Prompt Shift to Untaxed Markets
In some locations, councils have chosen to exercise their authority to impose outright bans on gambling venues. Superbet, for example, stated in September its intention to repurpose affected locations as fan spaces rather than shuttering them completely.
The federation warns that reducing legal gambling options will not deter players, but may instead drive them to unregulated online sites. Alexandru Domșa, President of FEDBET, stated (translated from Romanian):
‘Closing an authorised venue does not mean people stop playing. A large share of them end up on sites without a licence, where nobody checks their age, there are no deposit limits or protective measures, and the state collects nothing. The first thing lost in a deadlock is player protection. In other words, the gambling does not disappear, but control does.’
Romanian authorities have targeted such unlicensed operations, with ONJN blacklisting around 800 illegal sites in August.
Significant Economic Impact and Industry Response
FEDBET estimates approximately 8,500 jobs have been affected. The Ministry of Finance’s draft 2026 budget revision highlights a 750 million lei decrease in gambling-specific tax receipts for the year’s first part, mainly derived from authorization fees. The majority of losses began accruing in August, and the industry projects that total losses will reach about €320 million by the end of the year. Domșa indicated these figures only partially reflect the impact, emphasizing the loss in state revenue from employment contributions.
Industry Urges Temporary Measures
In response, FEDBET is calling for swift adoption of transitional rules, enabling operators currently in compliance with national law to continue functioning until councils enact the necessary decisions. Domșa clarified the industry is not seeking tax reductions, but rather a resolution to the current standstill. He asserted that FEDBET can supply authorities with all requisite data for verification at any time.
- Author
Daniel Williams
