Romania ONJN Blacklists 800 Unauthorised Gambling Sites

Key Takeaways:

Romania's ONJN blacklisted 800 unauthorised gambling sites.
This action surpasses the previous record of 370 sites.
A new tool identifies "clone sites" to enhance enforcement.
Total blacklisted sites under current leadership reached 1,180.
ONJN also revoked an affiliate's Class II licence.

The Oficiul Național pentru Jocuri de Noroc (ONJN), Romania's gambling regulator, has added approximately 800 unauthorised gambling sites to its blacklist. This action marks an increase in efforts to combat illegal online gambling within the country. The domains were identified as offering gambling services without the necessary authorisation for the Romanian market.

Enhanced Enforcement and New Detection Tools

The addition of around 800 sites to the blacklist surpasses the ONJN gambling regulator's previous record of approximately 370 sites. These entries do not represent 800 distinct operators but rather various websites and domains used to offer unauthorised gambling. The measure brings the total number of unauthorised sites added to the blacklist during the current leadership’s mandate to around 1,180. Polymarket is among the names cited by the ONJN.

The increase in enforcement activity is supported by a new tool developed by the ONJN specifically to identify “clone sites.” This phenomenon, where platforms become accessible again through new domains after being blocked, poses a significant challenge to tackling unauthorised online gambling licenses. The new system can identify platforms that share the same “root” but multiply through different web addresses. This capability aims to reduce the time needed to detect copies of known sites and limit the ability of unauthorised operators to circumvent measures in Romania.

Impact on Unauthorised Market and Regulatory Focus

The rapid evolution of the unauthorised online market, where blocked sites can quickly reappear under new domains or as copies, necessitates continuous and adaptive enforcement. The ONJN's new system directly addresses this challenge by enabling faster detection of replicas. This strategic focus aims to disrupt the operations of unlicensed platforms more effectively, a trend seen across regulated online casino markets.

Figures released by the authority indicate a notable increase in enforcement activity since the ONJN's establishment in 2013. From that time until April 2025, approximately 1,500 unauthorised sites were added to the blacklist. The current leadership's mandate accounts for around 1,180 of these additions, reflecting stronger monitoring and enforcement capabilities, alongside the growing use of digital tools. The ONJN's focus extends beyond direct gambling providers to entities that facilitate access to unauthorised platforms. In March, the ONJN revoked BET WISE S.R.L.’s Class II licence, which is required for affiliate activities in the online gambling in Romania.

Romania's Broader Strategy Against Offshore Gambling

Tackling unauthorised sites remains a priority for the ONJN, with the recent addition of 800 domains underscoring the persistent challenge of illegal operations. The blacklist serves as a key regulatory instrument, complemented by the development of advanced systems for quicker identification of unlicensed platforms. The objective is to enhance the detection of both initial unauthorised sites and their subsequent replicas operating under different domains. This comprehensive approach will form an important part of Romania’s strategy against offshore gambling provision in the coming months.