Romania’s National Office for Gambling is making a bold statement. It has moved to block thirty online gambling platforms that were operating without proper licensing. Domains such as wazbee dot casino, jacktop dot com, roostake dot com, a series of nv numbered casinos, and multiple ybets variants have all been added to the blacklist. Internet service providers must now block access to these sites within fifteen days and redirect users to an official notification page.
Mechanics of the Block and Next Steps
The regulator’s computerisation unit is preparing to distribute this blacklist promptly to all authorised ISPs. Players trying to reach any of these sites will instead be guided to a notice explaining that the operator lacks proper authorisation. Affected operators have thirty days to lodge an appeal with the Bucharest Court of Appeal. But these legal routes tend to be slow and expensive.
This crackdown takes place in the shadow of a recent audit by the Court of Accounts that flagged weaknesses in oversight across the sector. The report suggests that up to RON 3.6 billion in licence and authorisation fees may have gone uncollected between 2019 and 2023. These findings stirred political debate and put pressure on authorities to tighten regulations, including possible limits on how much players can spend.
Impact for Licensed Operators and Regulatory Reform
Removing these black-market operators helps level the playing field for legitimate businesses. Legal operators stand to gain from increased player traffic and a boost in consumer confidence. It also sends a message that Romania is serious about enforcing its rules and protecting the integrity of the gaming market.
At the same time there is momentum toward deeper reforms. Discussions now include whether municipalities should have the power to control local gambling premises. Proposals range from banning gambling in central areas or near schools to imposing special taxes on operators. All of this underscores a growing push for regulation that is both stricter and more locally responsive.
Romania’s move today is more than just a clean up. It is part of a wider push to reclaim trust in the gaming industry and to ensure that operators and authorities are both held accountable and held to a clear set of rules.
