Delays in renewals could sideline thousands of slot machines in Romania
FEDBET warns of sharp licence losses unless transitional rules are approved soon
Key Takeaways
- FEDBET warns the authorised slot-machine park could fall from 43,306 in March to 9,096 on 1 January 2027 due to administrative delays linked to Emergency Government Ordinance No. 7/2026.
- Less than 4% of roughly 3,100 Romanian administrative units had adopted the local measures required before the April deadline, blocking licence renewals.
- The federation estimates about 8,500 jobs have already been affected and projects an economic impact of RON 320m (≈€59.8m) by the end of 2026.
FEDBET warned that delays in permit renewals could put thousands of slot machines and gaming venues out of service in Romania from 1 January 2027. The federation estimates the authorised park could fall from 43.306 machines in March to around 9.096 on 1 January 2027 because of administrative obstacles arising from the Emergency Government Ordinance No. 7/2026.
Origin of the dispute: local approvals and the ONJN
The dispute arises because the reform grants local authorities the competence to issue gaming-hall permits, and those approvals are now a precondition for the National Gambling Office of Romania (ONJN) to renew operating licences. FEDBET says less than 4% of approximately 3.100 administrative-territorial units in Romania had adopted the required measures before the April deadline. According to the federation, clarification requests addressed to town halls have largely been met with administrative silence.
The administrative sequence is as follows: town halls must approve formal local decisions; without that decision, councils do not issue the municipal permit; and without the municipal permit, the ONJN cannot formalise the renewal of the operating licence.
Park evolution data and projections
FEDBET sets out the following timeline and current figures:
43.306 machines authorised in March 2026.
15.579 machines remained licensed on 1 November 2026.
Projected fall to 9.096 machines on 1 January 2027 if local authorities do not complete the procedures.
The federation also notes that, in the prior two years, the number of machines fell from around 80.000 to approximately 36.000 as a result of earlier market reforms.
Economic and employment impact
FEDBET calculates that about 8.500 jobs have already been affected by the uncertainty in permits. The federation estimates the economic impact could reach around RON 320m (≈€59.8m) by the end of 2026.
The official projection from the Ministry of Finance cited by the federation forecasts a shortfall in gambling tax revenue of RON 750m in its 2026 budget amendments. FEDBET says that figure mainly reflects losses already recorded in the first part of the year, before the mass expiry of permits, and that the real cost will become clearer in the coming months.
"Closing an authorised venue does not mean people stop gambling. A large share ends up on unauthorised sites, where no one verifies age, there are no deposit limits or protection measures, and the state collects nothing," said Alexandru Domșa, president of FEDBET.
Local effects: bans and municipal measures
Several local governments have used their new powers to impose bans or restrictions. Timișoara is one of the most recent and publicly prominent examples to apply limitations; Bucharest Sector Six imposed restrictions; and Iași became the first county where all municipalities voted to ban gaming halls.
Some local authorities that retain the possibility of authorising halls may also set their own annual authorisation fees. The central government had already vetoed the opening of gaming venues in localities with fewer than 15,000 inhabitants by an order issued in 2024.
Super Technologies announced it will convert its gaming venues into community centres in areas affected by bans.
Call for transitional measures and risks of an unregulated market
FEDBET requests that the Government and Parliament approve transitional provisions allowing operators that meet legal requirements to continue operating while town halls complete their decisions. The federation warns that the loss of authorised venues could drive gambling into unregulated spaces.
"The first thing lost in a closure is player protection. Gambling does not disappear; oversight does," Alexandru Domșa added.
The federation links the projected contraction of the physical market to risks for tax revenue and player protection, and asks for temporary solutions until the municipal authorisation process normalises.
Next steps and regulatory monitoring
FEDBET is maintaining political pressure to secure transitional measures before 1 January 2027. Operators and market observers await responses from the Government, Parliament and the ONJN in the coming weeks. For tracking regulatory changes and sector reactions see the [regulation](/regulation) and [news](/news) sections of the site, indicated as regulation and news respectively.
Miguel Sandoval, Regulatory Correspondent.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does FEDBET say slot machines could lose their licences?
FEDBET says licence renewals are blocked because Emergency Government Ordinance No. 7/2026 requires prior local approvals, and less than 4% of approximately 3,100 administrative units had adopted those measures before the April deadline.
How many machines were authorised and how many could remain by January 2027?
FEDBET notes there were 43,306 machines authorised in March 2026; 15,579 remained licensed on 1 November 2026, and the figure could fall to about 9,096 on 1 January 2027 if local approvals are not completed.
What economic and employment impact does the federation foresee?
The federation estimates around 8,500 jobs have already been affected and forecasts an economic impact of approximately RON 320m (≈€59.8m) by the end of 2026; the Ministry of Finance projected a RON 750m fiscal shortfall for 2026.
What immediate solution does the industry request?
FEDBET asks the Government and Parliament to introduce transitional measures allowing compliant operators to continue operating while municipalities complete their administrative decisions.
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About the author
Miguel Sandoval
Regulatory Affairs Correspondent
Miguel Sandoval tracks gambling legislation, licensing, and regulator enforcement — from Spain's DGOJ and the Latin American authorities to the UKGC, the MGA, and the state-by-state map in North America. The reports answer three questions precisely — what changed, where, and who it affects — with jurisdictions, dates, and penalties cited exactly as published. Operators and compliance officers read Miguel Sandoval to know which rulebook moved before their next meeting.
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