Romania Coalition Advances i Gaming Age Limit to 21
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Key Takeaways:
- Romania's incoming coalition government plans to raise the legal gambling age from 18 to 21, targeting enhanced player protection in a market plagued by recent scandals.
- The proposal forms part of a broader sector overhaul following a €1bn tax collection failure by regulator ONJN, aiming to restore fiscal integrity.
- Operators face potential revenue impacts from age restrictions, but the move aligns with EU trends toward stricter youth safeguards.
Romania's nascent coalition government has unveiled plans to elevate the minimum age for iGaming participation to 21, marking a pivotal shift in Romania's gambling landscape. The policy, detailed in the coalition's programme, responds to mounting pressures from regulatory lapses and public outcry over underage access. Announced amid negotiations following the December 2024 elections, the measure seeks to fortify consumer protections in a sector that generated €1.2bn in gross gaming revenue last year, predominantly from online channels.
The backdrop to this reform is a turbulent 2025 for Romania's gambling industry. Earlier this year, the National Office for Gambling (ONJN) faced intense scrutiny after an audit exposed its failure to collect nearly €1bn in taxes and licensing fees. The shortfall, attributed to outdated tax systems and inconsistent duty adjustments since 2018, triggered parliamentary hearings and calls for a complete regulatory reset. ONJN defended its position, citing governmental delays in modernizing collection infrastructure, but the incident eroded trust and amplified demands for structural changes. Coalition leaders, including representatives from the Social Democratic Party and National Liberal Party, have positioned the age hike as a cornerstone of their "clean slate" agenda, emphasizing prevention of youth vulnerability in digital betting environments.
This initiative mirrors evolving European standards, where jurisdictions like the Netherlands and Sweden have implemented similar thresholds to curb addiction risks among young adults. In Romania, where online sportsbooks and casinos dominate—accounting for 85% of activity—the change could reshape operator strategies. Platforms such as Superbet and Casa Pariurilor, the market's top players, may need to overhaul verification processes, potentially integrating advanced age-gating technologies like biometric checks. Industry analysts estimate a short-term dip in user base, with 18-20-year-olds comprising about 15% of active accounts, but long-term benefits include reduced social costs and bolstered compliance credibility.
Beyond the age limit, the coalition's blueprint outlines complementary reforms: streamlined licensing for compliant operators, mandatory affordability assessments, and enhanced black market enforcement. These build on ONJN's recent efforts to digitize tax reporting, which have already recovered €200m in arrears since March. Online casino payments providers, too, stand to adapt, with calls for tighter transaction monitoring to prevent underage funding via e-wallets or crypto gateways. Odds suppliers like Betradar and Kambi, deeply embedded in Romanian platforms, have welcomed the transparency push, viewing it as a stabilizer for market growth projected at 8% annually through 2028.
Stakeholders remain cautiously optimistic. The Romanian Bookmakers Association has pledged cooperation, advocating for a phased rollout to mitigate disruptions. Yet, whispers of resistance linger among smaller operators, who fear the reforms could consolidate power among incumbents. As the coalition formalizes its agreement—expected by late November—these proposals will test Romania's commitment to balancing innovation with responsibility. For a market once hailed as Eastern Europe's growth engine, this reset could redefine its trajectory, prioritizing sustainable play over unchecked expansion.
In parallel developments, iGaming supplier 1spin4win celebrated surpassing 1,000 global partners, a milestone reflecting robust demand for its classic slots amid regulatory flux. The achievement underscores provider resilience, with integrations spanning Latin America and Asia, where similar age and compliance debates simmer.
