Romania’s New PM Inherits Three Key Gambling Sector Challenges
by Garry Sputnim
⏱ 3 min read 
Political Stability Restored After Five-Month Stalemate
Lula Niculescu was elected as Romania’s new Prime Minister, concluding a five-month political stalemate that involved three failed attempts to form a government. The election follows a six-month truce agreed between the Social Democratic Party (PSD) and the National Liberal Party (PNL), aimed at providing political stability and passing the 2027 budget.
Niculescu was nominated by President Nicusor Dan. The new administration inherits a gambling sector undergoing significant structural and financial changes, with specific challenges identified regarding tax sustainability, regulatory consistency, and public health funding.
Tax Law 141/2025 and Revenue Shortfalls
Law 141/2025 introduced higher taxes on players’ winnings in Romania, creating a new tiered structure for payouts. Under this law, payouts up to RON 10,000 are taxed at 4%. Payouts between RON 10,000 and RON 66,750 face a 20% tax rate, while payouts exceeding RON 66,750 are taxed at 40%.
The legislation also adjusted taxes for operators. The online gambling authorisation tax rate increased from 21% of Gross Gaming Revenue (GGR) to 30%. Additionally, the minimum annual online authorisation tax rose from €400,000 to €480,000. Fixed-odds betting and gaming machine taxes were also increased under the same law.
Revenue collection remains a critical issue for the new government. An independent audit conducted in 2025 found close to €1 billion in missing taxes. This shortfall has placed significant pressure on the state’s deficit target, which is set at 5.2% of GDP for the 2027 budget cycle.
ONJN Leadership Turmoil and Regulatory Uncertainty
The National Office for Gambling (ONJN) has experienced significant leadership instability. Gheorge Gheorge resigned as ONJN President following the audit findings regarding missing taxes. He was replaced by Vlad Cristian-Soare, who was appointed in April 2025.
However, Soare was replaced in August 2026, and Valentin-Ioan Tomescu was appointed as the new ONJN President. During the summer, former and current high-level ONJN officials were questioned over alleged bribery cases, adding to the uncertainty surrounding the regulator’s operations. Financially, 85% of the funds collected by ONJN from licensed operators are directed into the state budget, leaving limited resources for the agency’s own operational needs.
Suspension of Problem Gambling Grants
A €5 million grant initiative for problem gambling, introduced under the previous leadership of Vlad Cristian-Soare, saw 54 projects approved in July 2026. However, the new ONJN leadership suspended these grants on 2 October 2026.
The suspension was justified by the need for a review of the subsidiary programme’s legal and budgetary basis. This decision halts funding for the approved projects at a time when the sector is already navigating increased tax burdens and regulatory scrutiny.
Why It Matters
The new Romanian government must balance aggressive tax collection with regulatory stability. Operators face higher financial burdens under Law 141/2025, while the suspension of problem gambling grants raises questions about public health funding. These developments directly impact the operational environment for licensed gambling companies in Romania.
FAQ
Who is the new Prime Minister of Romania?
Lula Niculescu was elected as Romania's new Prime Minister following a five-month political stalemate. She was nominated by President Nicusor Dan after a truce between the PSD and PNL parties.
What are the new tax rates for gambling winnings in Romania?
Under Law 141/2025, payouts up to RON 10,000 are taxed at 4%, between RON 10,000 and RON 66,750 at 20%, and over RON 66,750 at 40%. Online operator taxes also increased to 30% of GGR.
Why were the problem gambling grants suspended?
The new ONJN leadership suspended the €5 million grant initiative on 2 October 2026. The decision was justified by the need to review the programme's legal and budgetary basis after 54 projects had already been approved.
How much money was found missing in the 2025 tax audit?
An independent audit conducted in 2025 found close to €1 billion in missing taxes. This shortfall led to the resignation of ONJN President Gheorge Gheorge and increased pressure on the state's deficit target.
Garry brings over a decade of investigative journalism to Best in Slot. Having reported from more than 30 countries, he specialises in the stories that shape the gambling industry — from regulatory shifts to technological breakthroughs — and signs off every review before it is published.
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