The measures taken by Romania against traffickers, in the attention of a major international publication

At least nine cities in Romania will pursue total bans against gambling houses, as the emergency decree gives mayors and local councils decisive veto powers, The Guardian notes in an article

The well-known British publication recalls that the Romanian government has revised gambling regulations through an emergency decree that allows municipalities to restrict or ban betting and gambling halls. The Guardian points out that it is “the most severe crackdown on the industry the country has yet seen”.

Licensed operators must now obtain not only a national permit, but also a local permit to open a gambling outlet, giving mayors and local councils a powerful right of veto. Romanian officials consulted by the British newspaper say that more than 200 localities could follow total bans.

“Romania's gambling industry has seen rapid expansion, with tens of thousands of slot machines and betting points opening nationwide, especially in the capital Bucharest,” The Guardian points out, explaining to its readers that, until now, gambling halls were centrally authorized in Romania, without the approval of cities, “leaving communities powerless, even as such venues proliferated near schools and residential areas.”

The mayor of Slatina, quoted by The Guardian regarding the ban on bread

“From now on, local authorities can clearly say 'yes' or 'no',” MP Diana Stoica from the USR party, which led the legislative campaign, told The Guardian. “If they say 'yes', they can decide exactly where these locations can operate and under what conditions.”

At least nine cities have already announced plans to pursue total bans. Among them is Slatina, in southern Romania, where Mayor Mario De Mezzo has promised to eliminate all gambling halls as existing licenses expire.

“The simplest solution was to remove these businesses completely from the city. They are toxic to society,” De Mezzo told the British publication. It notes that the Romanian gambling sector is a multibillion-euro market, generating almost 1 billion euros in state taxes in 2025, despite official audits identifying many millions of euros uncollected.

For years, the tax benefit has been one of the main justifications for not imposing restrictions, despite public pressure, but supporters of regulation argue that the economic benefits come at a very high social cost, The Guardian also points out.

The problem of gambling in Romania, presented in detail by the British publication

“This is a public health issue,” Stoica said. “Gambling addiction has the highest suicide rate of all addictions, and the Romanian state has allowed this industry to explode over the past 20 years,” she continued in comments made to the British publication.

She pointed out that previous legislation treated gambling more lightly than other businesses: “If you wanted to open a flower shop, you needed a permit from the town hall. For gambling halls, you didn't.”

At a recent press conference in Bucharest, the deputy pointed to an apartment block behind him that housed six betting parlors on the ground floor, located near several schools.

“We're not in Las Vegas,” Stoica said. “This agglomeration of destructive devices is happening in the middle of residential neighborhoods.”

The Guardian notes that Bucharest Mayor Ciprian Cucu said he must consult the local council before deciding on a ban, and that he suggested gambling halls could be restricted to certain areas, such as the Old Centre. He clarified, however, that this is just an idea.

“I've seen the devastating effects these businesses have on people's lives”

The Romanian parliament is also debating further restrictions on gambling. Proposed measures include banning under-21s from gambling halls, limiting online gambling advertising between 6am and midnight, capping losses at 10% of declared income and restricting advertising to children. Last year, Romania's media authority banned celebrities and influencers from appearing in gambling ads.

De Mezzo said the decision to pursue a citywide ban was motivated by seeing the consequences of addiction in his community.

“I've seen the devastating effects these businesses have on people's lives,” he told The Guardian. “Families are falling apart, and children are going to bed hungry because their parents are losing their wages on gambling machines,” lamented the Romanian mayor.

De Mezzo also dismissed the argument that cities would lose valuable revenue if the arcades closed. “If saving even one life means delaying paving three streets until next year, it's worth it,” he added in comments to The Guardian.