Slot Machine Law”, also know as the “Slot Machine Act” has been adopted in Parliament
The gambling industry is on the brink of a significant transformation with the introduction of the “Slot Machine Law” which mandates the relocation of gambling halls to the outskirts of towns. Recently, on April 9, 2024, the Chamber of Deputies passed a draft law prohibiting “slot machine” gambling in localities with fewer than 15,000 inhabitants. This law is set to be promulgated by President Klaus Iohannis.
The primary focus of the new legislation is to limit commercial spaces for gambling activities. Under this law, commercial spaces hosting “slot machine” games of chance will be restricted to localities with less than 15,000 inhabitants. Consequently, these gaming devices will only be permitted in larger cities, while smaller towns will see them relocated to the outskirts.
Furthermore, the law mandates the establishment and maintenance of a public online register by the National Gaming Office. This register will be updated at least once every 24 hours and will list operators authorized or licensed to conduct gambling activities.
Additionally, there will be strict measures implemented concerning minors’ access to gambling halls, with severe fines ranging from 100,000 to 200,000 for any violations. Repeated infractions against the law’s provisions may result in sanctions, including license suspension or revocation.
Following the enactment of this law, which prohibits gambling in towns with less than 15,000 inhabitants, experts anticipate a significant surge in online gambling in 2024. Currently, there are approximately 12,000 gaming halls, 20 land-based casinos, and over 50 online platforms catering to Romanian players. The number of active online accounts exceeds 250,000 and continues to rise, driven by the growing interest in gambling among Romanians. Statistics show that out of the 2.8 million Romanians who engaged in gambling in 2022, approximately 1.3 million preferred online gambling platforms.
