Romania Overhauls Self-Exclusion System with New National IT Platform

A New Digital Backbone for Player Protection

The new self-exclusion solution will be developed by the Bucharest-based National Institute for Research and Development in Informatics (ICI). Under the agreement, ICI will design and implement a system that introduces remote self-exclusion capabilities, supported by ID validation and biometric verification scans.

In practical terms, this means players will be able to self-exclude more securely and efficiently - without bureaucratic hurdles or inconsistent operator enforcement. ONJN President Vlad-Cristian Soare described the initiative as a long-standing commitment now being executed in stages.

The reform replaces the existing technical standard and introduces a unified, modern infrastructure designed to strengthen oversight across both online and land-based operators.

Emergency Measures and Broader Regulatory Reform

The IT upgrade is only one piece of a broader reform package. ONJN has recently entered negotiations with Romania’s Ministry of Finance to approve an emergency ordinance aimed at accelerating improvements to the self-exclusion framework.

Key proposals under review include:

• Expanded self-exclusion duration options
• Stronger compliance requirements for operators
• Mandatory refunding of deposits in cases of non-compliance
• Increased sanctions for breaches
• Greater visibility and accessibility of self-exclusion information

The use of an emergency ordinance - typically reserved for urgent economic or public health matters - underscores the seriousness with which regulators are approaching the issue.

Rising Concerns Around Youth Gambling

Pressure for reform has not come from regulators alone. Romania’s chapter of the international NGO Save the Children has raised concerns about a rise in underage gambling, urging authorities to take stronger preventative measures.

The issue has also reached political leadership. Education Minister Daniel David recently warned that Romania lacks sufficient specialists to address the growing number of minors exposed to gambling-related harm.

In response, Save the Children has advocated for tighter advertising restrictions, including limitations on untargeted marketing and sports sponsorships. Elements of these proposals have been echoed by the Save Romania Union party, which has called for stricter advertising controls.

A Market in Transition

All proposed reforms are currently under detailed review by the Chamber of Deputies. Should the measures pass, Romania’s gambling landscape could look markedly different by the end of the year.

The modernised self-exclusion system, combined with stronger compliance rules and potential advertising reforms, signals a clear regulatory direction: increased accountability and stronger consumer protection.

Romania is moving from reactive policy to proactive infrastructure. By investing in biometric verification, unified compliance mechanisms, and stricter enforcement tools, the ONJN is reshaping how self-exclusion functions nationwide.

If implemented as planned, these reforms may not only modernise the system but redefine the balance between market growth and player protection.