ONJN urges Meta and Google to remove illegal gambling ads

The Romanian National Gambling Office (ONJN), the central authority responsible for overseeing the country’s gambling sector, has formally addressed two of the world’s most influential tech companies—Meta Platforms Inc. and Google LLC—demanding the immediate removal of sponsored advertisements for unauthorised gambling services appearing across their platforms.

These ads, which reportedly surfaced on both Meta’s social media networks and Google’s search engine results, were directly linked to websites featured on Romania’s official gambling blacklist—a register of domains that are legally prohibited from operating or advertising within the country’s jurisdiction.

Official notices cite repeated breaches of Romanian gambling law

ONJN's recent action, conveyed through formal written notices, calls upon both companies to swiftly investigate the origin of the illegal advertisements. In addition to removing the offending content, ONJN has asked Meta and Google to suspend all associated advertising accounts and disclose critical data regarding:

• The identities of those operating the campaigns
• The revenues generated from the unauthorised promotional content
• Any third-party agencies or individuals acting as intermediaries

ONJN’s letter also recommends that both firms adopt stringent internal mechanisms to prevent the recurrence of similar violations. These could include enhanced ad verification tools, stricter keyword filtering, and comprehensive pre-approval protocols for advertising in regulated industries.

Advertising of unlicensed gambling constitutes a legal offence in Romania

Under current Romanian law, the promotion of gambling services that lack a valid national licence is strictly prohibited. This prohibition applies not only to the gambling operators themselves but also to any entities facilitating the promotion of such services, including media channels, advertisers, and payment providers.

The penalties associated with non-compliance are severe:

• Fines ranging from 50,000 to 100,000 lei (approximately €9,900 to €19,800) may be imposed
• Confiscation of all related revenues derived from the illegal activity
• Criminal liability may be incurred if an entity provides material support—such as financial transactions, promotional activity, or IT services—to unauthorised operators

In issuing its warnings, ONJN reasserted its statutory authority to take legal action against both local and international entities that breach Romanian gambling legislation, particularly where failure to comply could endanger consumer safety or undermine the integrity of regulated markets.

A broader push for platform accountability

The move is part of a broader push by ONJN and other European regulators to hold digital platforms accountable for the promotion of illegal gambling content. Given the massive reach and targeting capabilities of advertising systems like those offered by Meta and Google, regulators have grown increasingly concerned about the exposure of vulnerable users—especially minors and individuals with problem gambling behaviours—to unauthorised operators.

Although Meta and Google have internal advertising policies that nominally prohibit illegal gambling ads, enforcement has often been criticised as inconsistent, particularly in countries where regulatory frameworks are complex or rapidly evolving.

ONJN’s warning may therefore be interpreted not merely as an isolated enforcement effort, but as part of a larger regulatory trend in Europe—aimed at compelling major tech firms to assume greater legal and ethical responsibility for content hosted or promoted through their platforms.

ONJN reinforces transparency through public blacklist

In parallel with its enforcement actions, ONJN maintains and regularly updates a public blacklist of unauthorised gambling websites, which is available on its official website. This list is intended to assist ISPs, advertisers, and consumers in identifying domains that are operating without a valid Romanian licence.

The blacklist serves a dual purpose:

• Consumer protection by warning users against engaging with unlicensed services, which may lack fairness guarantees or dispute resolution channels
• Enforcement facilitation by providing a concrete reference point for payment processors, ad networks, and hosting providers to block illegal traffic or suspend collaboration with blacklisted sites
• The ONJN has encouraged both Google and Meta to integrate this official blacklist into their automated ad-verification tools to proactively prevent blacklisted domains from purchasing ad space.

International legal implications for tech firms

The ONJN's action raises broader legal and compliance questions for global tech giants operating in diverse regulatory environments. While platforms like Google and Meta may operate under global terms of service, they are still required to comply with local laws and enforcement orders in jurisdictions where they conduct business.

Failure to act on legally binding requests—especially those involving consumer protection and gambling regulation—could expose these firms to civil liability, regulatory sanctions, or even criminal proceedings in extreme cases.

Although ONJN’s letters appear to stop short of legal threats at this stage, the regulator has not ruled out pursuing further action should the platforms fail to take timely and appropriate steps.

Industry reaction and the need for stronger compliance frameworks

The Romanian gambling industry, especially licensed operators, has broadly welcomed ONJN’s actions. Several local stakeholders have argued that unauthorised competition not only undermines market fairness but also harms the reputation of the legal sector.

By bypassing mandatory contributions such as licensing fees, consumer protections, and responsible gambling obligations, black-market operators are seen as gaining an unfair competitive edge. Their visibility via ads on platforms such as Facebook or Google Search only exacerbates this imbalance.

Industry experts have called on tech firms to strengthen their ad review protocols, invest in AI tools capable of flagging potential violations, and engage more deeply with regulatory authorities to ensure full alignment with national legal requirements.

The evolving role of online platforms in gambling enforcement

The ONJN case is indicative of a broader shift in how national regulators view digital intermediaries. While historically most enforcement focused on the gambling operators themselves, there is now a growing consensus that platforms must serve as active gatekeepers rather than passive conduits for potentially unlawful content.

This expectation aligns with regulatory trends seen elsewhere in the European Union, including the implementation of the Digital Services Act (DSA), which requires very large online platforms to take increased responsibility for illegal content, including unlicensed gambling promotions.

Conclusion

ONJN’s formal notices to Meta and Google mark a critical moment in the enforcement of Romanian gambling laws in the digital space. As governments around the world strive to bring internet regulation in line with national policy objectives, particularly in sectors as sensitive as gambling, the role of tech intermediaries is coming under sharper scrutiny.

For Meta and Google, the path forward likely involves a more collaborative posture with national regulators, investment in real-time content vetting technologies, and the adoption of a proactive compliance ethos that reflects the realities of a fragmented global regulatory landscape.

With the Romanian government’s clear stance on illegal gambling promotion, it is expected that other digital advertising ecosystems will soon face similar demands—heralding a future where legal compliance becomes not just a local requirement, but a global obligation for digital platforms of all sizes.

FAQs

What is the Romanian National Gambling Office (ONJN)?
The ONJN is the official regulatory body in Romania responsible for overseeing the gambling industry, issuing licences, and enforcing national gambling laws.

Why did ONJN contact Meta and Google?
ONJN issued formal notices to Meta and Google requesting the removal of sponsored ads promoting unauthorised gambling services in Romania.

Are such ads considered illegal in Romania?
Yes, Romanian law prohibits advertising unlicensed gambling services, and violations may result in fines or even criminal proceedings.

What kind of penalties are imposed for illegal gambling promotion?
Penalties include fines ranging from 50,000 to 100,000 lei and the seizure of any revenue generated from the activity.

Can digital platforms be held legally accountable?
Yes, platforms like Google and Meta may face liability if they allow or profit from the advertisement of illegal services in a given jurisdiction.

How does ONJN enforce its regulations?
ONJN monitors the market, issues fines, blacklists unlicensed operators, and cooperates with national and international enforcement bodies.

Where can I find the list of blacklisted websites?
The list of prohibited gambling websites is publicly available on the official ONJN website.

What responsibilities do tech companies have under Romanian law?
They must ensure compliance with national regulations, including removing illegal content and cooperating with regulators when violations occur.

Is there a broader European context to this issue?
Yes, many EU countries are increasing pressure on tech firms to prevent the promotion of illegal gambling, in line with new laws such as the Digital Services Act.

What should advertisers and consumers do to stay compliant?
Advertisers must verify licences before running campaigns, while consumers should check the ONJN’s website to ensure a site is authorised before engaging.