Romania Proposes 10% Income Cap on Gambling Expenditures

A major shift in Romania’s gambling laws is on the horizon.

A new legislative proposal seeks to cap gambling expenditures at 10% of a player’s previous month’s income.

This regulation would apply to both land-based and online gambling, with banks and operators ensuring compliance.

Supporters argue it will curb gambling addiction, promote financial responsibility, and protect players from excessive losses.

Romania Moves to Limit Gambling Payments to 10% of Monthly Income

Key Aspects of the Proposed Law

• Gambling payments will be capped at 10% of a player’s previous month’s earnings.
• Banks will monitor and enforce spending limits for online gambling, while land-based gaming halls will handle compliance.
• Operators and financial institutions face hefty fines and potential license revocation for non-compliance.

How the Gambling Spending Cap Will Work

Romania’s lawmakers have introduced a legislative proposal that, if enacted, will limit gambling-related payments to just 10% of a player’s previous month’s income.

The restriction would apply to all gambling platforms, including casinos, sports betting, and slot machines, covering both online and land-based operations.

Enforcement Measures:

🔹 For Online Gambling: Banks will be responsible for monitoring and enforcing spending caps.

🔹 For Land-Based Casinos and Gaming Halls: Operators must ensure players stay within limits before allowing bets.

The National Agency for Fiscal Administration (ANAF) will develop a platform allowing operators to verify a player’s available balance before approving transactions.

Operators will be required to report real-time gambling expenditures to ANAF, preventing individuals from bypassing restrictions by gambling at different venues.

Strict Penalties for Non-Compliance

Failure to enforce the spending cap will result in significant penalties for both gambling operators and financial institutions:

• Banks that fail to block excessive gambling payments could be fined up to 1% of their annual turnover.
• Land-based gambling operators face fines of up to 500,000 RON (€100,000/$108,540).
• Repeat offenses will result in license revocation, banning operators from the Romanian market.

The National Office for Gambling (ONJN) will oversee compliance and enforcement, ensuring strict adherence to the new regulations.

The Rationale Behind the Gambling Cap

Lawmakers argue that restricting gambling payments will:

• Reduce financial losses by preventing excessive betting.
• Protect vulnerable individuals from the risks of gambling addiction.
• Strengthen regulatory oversight and ensure industry transparency.

This initiative follows a series of regulatory measures aimed at curbing gambling-related harm in Romania.

Romania’s Broader Gambling Regulation Efforts

The gambling spending cap is part of a larger government initiative to tighten control over the industry.

Recent policies include:

• A 40% tax on casino withdrawals, introduced in 2022.
• A ban on gambling venues in towns with fewer than 15,000 residents, passed in October 2023.
• Stronger enforcement measures against unlicensed operators and black-market gambling sites.

Romanian Prime Minister Marcel Ciolacu emphasized the importance of these reforms, stating:

“We are fighting an industry with a turnover of €10-12 billion. This is the first law in 30 years that truly challenges the gambling sector’s influence.”

Impact on Players and Gambling Operators

• Players will face stricter gambling budgets, with payments automatically restricted once they reach the 10% cap.
• Online gambling operators will need to collaborate with banks to enforce limits, potentially adding new account verification steps.
• Land-based gaming halls must adjust their business models to accommodate real-time reporting and spending restrictions.

A Major Shift in Gambling Regulation

Romania’s proposed 10% gambling spending cap represents a significant step toward responsible gaming.

While the regulation may help curb problem gambling, it also raises questions about enforcement, player autonomy, and industry impact.

As the bill moves forward in parliament, its passage could set a new precedent for gambling regulations across Europe.

If approved, the legislation will reshape Romania’s gambling landscape, influencing both operators and players for years to come.