EGBA pushes for safer gambling in Romania

In a decisive move to strengthen responsible gambling practices across Europe, the European Gaming and Betting Association (EGBA) has renewed its call for Romania to establish a national self-exclusion system for gambling. This appeal was voiced by Maarten Haijer, Secretary General of EGBA, during a televised interview with Antena 3, a leading Romanian news channel. The conversation took place during a recent event hosted at the Romanian Parliament and organized by the Romanian Online Gambling Association (AOJND).

This development signals an important moment for Romania’s gambling sector, as the country considers new regulatory reforms aimed at protecting consumers and aligning with broader European standards. A national self-exclusion register, according to EGBA, is one of the most effective tools for preventing gambling harm and ensuring that at-risk players can access meaningful support and protections.

The growing urgency of self-exclusion in Romania

Across the European Union, responsible gambling has become an increasingly prominent policy focus. With problem gambling rates ranging between 0.3% and 6.4% of the adult population in different EU countries, the issue has become not only a public health concern but also a matter of regulatory integrity and consumer protection.

Although Romania has taken steps to regulate both online and land-based gambling, industry experts and critics continue to highlight the significant shortcoming of not having a unified, national self-exclusion system in place. Currently, Romanian players who wish to self-exclude must do so individually with each gambling operator—an approach that EGBA and others argue is ineffective and outdated.

EGBA reports that 17 EU member states have already implemented some form of national self-exclusion mechanism, providing gamblers with a single point of access to suspend themselves from all licensed gambling activities. Countries such as Sweden, Germany, the Netherlands, and Spain have established robust systems that allow individuals to register for exclusion through government-managed websites, often linked to a wider ecosystem of responsible gambling services.

EGBA's recommendations for Romania

During his remarks, Maarten Haijer detailed a set of recommendations that would align Romania’s system with the best practices seen across Europe. These include:

Universal application across all licensees

EGBA insists that any self-exclusion system introduced by Romania must apply to both online and land-based gambling operators. This is critical to ensure that individuals who choose to self-exclude are not able to simply switch to another operator—whether online or in person.

A user-friendly, GDPR-compliant government website

Accessibility is central to the effectiveness of any self-exclusion register. The EGBA recommends that Romania create a centralized, easy-to-use government website through which individuals can register for self-exclusion. This platform should comply with EU data protection regulations (GDPR) to ensure that users’ personal information is handled securely and ethically.

Real-time integration and fail-proof enforcement

The system must function in real time, ensuring that once a person registers, their exclusion is immediately enforced across all licensed platforms. EGBA emphasizes that there should be no delays or loopholes that would allow excluded individuals to continue gambling.

Clear and flexible exclusion periods

A successful self-exclusion framework should provide both short-term and long-term options, with predefined minimum and maximum timeframes. These periods could range from six months to five years, depending on the individual’s needs and risk level.

Support pathways for excluded players

In addition to enabling self-exclusion, the register should provide links to support services, including mental health counseling, debt assistance, and addiction treatment. EGBA believes that exclusion should be part of a broader support system that empowers individuals to recover and make informed choices.

Removal from marketing databases

Once a person is self-excluded, operators must immediately remove them from all marketing databases. This helps prevent the reactivation of gambling behavior through targeted advertising or promotional offers—a major relapse trigger for problem gamblers.

Why a national self-exclusion register matters

The establishment of a national self-exclusion register would represent a fundamental step in modernizing Romania’s gambling regulation. It would not only help protect vulnerable individuals but also demonstrate the Romanian government’s commitment to responsible gambling and regulatory alignment with EU norms.

Without such a system, self-exclusion efforts remain fragmented and inconsistent, placing the burden on individuals to navigate a patchwork of operator-specific rules. This decentralized model often fails those most in need of help—especially people experiencing severe gambling addiction or those at high risk of financial and psychological harm.

A centralized approach also benefits the industry by building trust with regulators and the public, showing that licensed operators are taking social responsibility seriously. It enhances the credibility of the market and helps deter unlicensed operators who tend to ignore consumer protection standards altogether.

Romania's opportunity for leadership

As Eastern European markets continue to mature, Romania has the opportunity to position itself as a regional leader in responsible gambling regulation. By implementing a well-designed national self-exclusion system, the country could significantly raise its standards and become a benchmark for neighboring countries such as Bulgaria, Serbia, and Moldova.

Moreover, the global trend is clearly moving toward more accountability and regulation in the gambling industry. From the UK’s Gambling Commission to the Swedish Spelinspektionen, regulators are demanding higher levels of transparency, better consumer protections, and strong safeguards against problem gambling.

The role of AOJND and Romanian Parliament

The Romanian Online Gambling Association (AOJND), which organized the event at Parliament, plays a critical role in driving reforms and engaging with both national stakeholders and international bodies like EGBA. Their collaboration with lawmakers can be a catalyst for real change.

Parliamentary backing is essential to turn these recommendations into law. Romanian MPs now face the choice of whether to respond with decisive legislative action or continue with a piecemeal approach. Given the mounting evidence of harm associated with unchecked gambling behavior, public and political pressure is likely to grow.

Conclusion

The call by EGBA is both timely and warranted. As Romania looks to strengthen its gambling regulations and align with European best practices, a national self-exclusion register should be considered a non-negotiable component of player protection.

It is no longer sufficient to rely on individual operators to manage exclusion requests independently. A national system would ensure uniformity, transparency, and above all, effectiveness in reducing gambling-related harm.

Whether Romania chooses to lead or lag in this area may well determine the long-term credibility and sustainability of its gambling industry.

FAQs

What is a national self-exclusion register in gambling?
A national self-exclusion register allows individuals to voluntarily ban themselves from all licensed gambling operators across a country.

Why is EGBA urging Romania to implement such a system?
EGBA believes a centralized self-exclusion system will better protect Romanian players from gambling harm and align the country with EU standards.

Which countries already have national self-exclusion systems?
Seventeen EU countries, including Sweden, Germany, Spain, and the Netherlands, have implemented national self-exclusion frameworks.

How does self-exclusion help prevent gambling addiction?
It restricts access to gambling platforms, helping individuals manage compulsive behavior and connect with support services.

Will the self-exclusion system apply to both online and land-based gambling?
EGBA recommends that Romania’s system cover all forms of gambling to ensure full protection.

How can players register for self-exclusion in this proposed system?
Through a government-managed website that is user-friendly and compliant with GDPR, offering immediate access to exclusion services.

What happens after someone self-excludes?
They are blocked from accessing all licensed gambling services and removed from all marketing databases of gambling operators.

Can people reverse their decision to self-exclude?
Depending on the country, some systems allow reversals after a minimum period, but only with evidence of recovery or through counseling.

How will the Romanian gambling industry benefit from such a system?
It builds public trust, enhances regulatory compliance, and strengthens the overall credibility of licensed operators.

What is AOJND’s role in this initiative?
AOJND organized the parliamentary event and supports EGBA's push for national self-exclusion to promote responsible gambling practices.