Romania proposes raising gambling age to 21 and restricting advertising featuring celebrities

• Romania plans to increase the minimum gambling age to 21 to better protect youth.
• New restrictions will limit gambling advertising on online platforms during daytime and ban celebrity endorsements.
• These changes follow NGO calls and align with similar regulations in other European countries.

The Romanian Parliament is considering legislation to raise the gambling age from 18 to 21 years. This change reflects concerns about the vulnerability of young adults to gambling addiction during critical developmental years.

Alongside the age increase, the government proposes new regulations to limit gambling advertisements, especially on digital platforms, to reduce youth exposure.

Under the proposed rules, gambling ads on online channels would be restricted during daytime hours, a period when younger audiences are more likely to be active online. Furthermore, the use of influencers, athletes, and celebrity figures in gambling advertising would be prohibited, aiming to reduce the appeal of gambling to vulnerable groups.

Non-governmental organisations have supported the government’s initiative, highlighting the need for more protective measures against gambling harms.

Gabriela Alexandrescu, President of Save the Children Romania, said:

“We must be aware of the real risks of gambling addiction and the destructive pathological behaviors it generates. It is imperative to completely eliminate gambling advertising, limit the spaces dedicated to these activities, and even prohibit gambling for people under 21.”

These measures mirror actions taken in countries such as Italy, Moldova, Belgium, Greece, Lithuania, and Ukraine, which have introduced similar legal age limits and advertising restrictions.

The Romanian National Gambling Office has recently enforced new rules banning celebrity endorsements in gambling ads across television, radio, and online platforms. Additionally, operators and affiliates must restrict social media content to those over 18 years old.

These proposed reforms come amid broader adjustments in Romania’s gambling sector, which include increased licensing fees and tighter operational controls aimed at improving social responsibility. If enacted, the laws would significantly impact how operators market their products and comply with regulatory standards.