Romanian President Klaus Iohannis promulgated the law banning gambling halls in towns with less than 15,000 inhabitants
Klaus Iohannis promulgated, today, April 17, the law regarding the approval of the Government’s Emergency Ordinance no. 82/2023 for the amendment and completion of the Government Emergency Ordinance no. 77/2009 regarding the organization and maintenance of gambling, as well as for the amendment of the Government’s Emergency Ordinance no. 20/2013 regarding the establishment, organization and functioning of the National Gambling Office and for the amendment and completion of the Government Emergency Ordinance no. 77/2009, announces the Presidential Administration.
“The proposed space, if it has slot-machine gaming facilities as defined in art. 10 para. (1) lit. e), must be located in an administrative-territorial unit with a population greater than 15,000 inhabitants. The proof of the number of inhabitants is made by a certificate issued by the town hall in whose territorial radius the proposed space is located”, the document states.
The Chamber of Deputies approved last week, as a decision-making body, the law that prohibits gambling halls in localities with less than 15,000 inhabitants.
It is also mentioned that the state can grant licenses only to companies registered in Romania or legal entities legally established in a member state of the European Union or in signatory states of the Agreement on the European Economic Area or of the Swiss Confederation that have registered a permanent headquarters in Romania.
The law also prohibits the sale of alcoholic beverages in gambling halls. Cafes, bars where there are slot machines are targeted.
At the same time, it is mentioned the establishment of the ban on participation in gambling for members of the Supervisory Committee within the National Gambling Office. ONJN will manage a database on self-excluded and undesirable persons, established at national level.
The revenues from the contributions of licensed gambling organizers collected by the National Gambling Office are transferred in percentage of 70% to the state budget, from the budget revenue accounts in which they were collected, within five working days of the following month collection, and the remaining 30% of the total sums collected is used for the activity financed from own revenues.
Advertising by sending unsolicited electronic messages containing information about one or more games and external advertising for gambling, websites hosting gambling platforms or branding using one of the brands that a gambling operator uses, which exceed the size of 35 m2/board/advertising material, are prohibited.
Romanian President Klaus Iohannis promulgated the law banning gambling halls in towns with less than 15,000 inhabitants
