ONJN suspends 25 million RON 'Conscious and Free' national programme
Suspension follows review that found budgetary and legal inconsistencies in the 2026 scheme
Key Takeaways
- ONJN suspended the "Conscious and Free" programme after a working-group review found budgetary and legal inconsistencies.
- The programme was launched with a budget of over 25 million RON and saw 199 submissions, with 180 projects evaluated.
- Preliminary results were published on 28 July 2026, but contracting stalled because no secured budgetary framework was in place.
- The working group said projects require at least three months to implement and identified legal risks in the attribution procedure.
The Romanian National Gambling Office (Oficiul Național pentru Jocuri de Noroc, ONJN) has suspended the national public-interest programme "Conscious and Free" (Conștient și liber) after a working-group review found major budgetary and legal inconsistencies. Launched with a budget of over 25 million RON, the initiative's contracting phase has been halted and the award of non-reimbursable financing to selected organisations is paused pending clarifications.
What the review found
The working group concluded the programme proceeded without a secured budgetary framework required to lawfully fund the selected projects. The initiative received 199 project submissions, of which 180 were evaluated, and the preliminary results were published on 28 July 2026. Despite publication of winning applicants, the review found no explicit provision conditioning the signing of contracts on the actual securing of state funds. As a result, the previous ONJN leadership refrained from initiating the contracting phase. The process therefore stalled before the ONJN President approved a final report or officially declared final beneficiaries.
Timing and legal risks
The review also flagged an unrealistic implementation timeline. The working group determined selected projects require a minimum of three months to be properly implemented. Considering necessary administrative steps and clarifications, completing execution before the end of 2026 is unrealistic. The group identified several legal issues related to the attribution procedure and the applicable regulatory framework, and warned that proceeding without addressing those flaws would expose both ONJN and beneficiary organisations to significant legal and administrative risks.
Suspension is precautionary, not a cancellation
ONJN described the measure as a suspension taken for administrative responsibility and transparency, not a cancellation. The regulator reiterated that preventing gambling-related harm and protecting minors and vulnerable groups remain priorities. The stated objective is to restructure the "Conscious and Free" programme on a secure legal and budgetary foundation so public funds are used correctly and for the direct benefit of targeted vulnerable groups.
Next steps
ONJN will clarify the legal and financial inconsistencies identified by the working group before resuming the award and contracting process. No timetable for resumption has been published by the regulator.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did ONJN suspend the Conscious and Free programme?
ONJN suspended the programme because a working-group review found it proceeded without a secured budgetary framework and identified legal issues in the attribution procedure. The review also noted an unrealistic implementation timeline and that the previous leadership had not initiated contracting.
How much funding was allocated to the Conscious and Free programme?
The programme was launched with a budget of over 25 million RON. That budgetary framework was not secured according to the working-group review, which led to the suspension of contracting.
How many projects were submitted and evaluated for the programme?
A total of 199 projects were submitted and 180 were evaluated, with preliminary results published on 28 July 2026. The process stopped before final beneficiaries were officially declared.
Has ONJN cancelled the programme permanently?
No, ONJN characterised the action as a suspension, not a cancellation. The regulator said the aim is to restructure the programme on a solid legal and budgetary foundation before resuming awards and contracting.
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About the author
Eleanor Whitfield
Regulatory Affairs Correspondent
Eleanor Whitfield tracks gambling legislation, licensing decisions, and regulator enforcement across key markets — from the UKGC, MGA, and Germany's GGL to Spain's DGOJ and the state-by-state map in the Americas. The reporting answers three questions precisely: what changed, where, and who it affects, with jurisdictions, effective dates, and penalty figures named exactly as published. Compliance officers and operators read Eleanor Whitfield to know which rulebook moved before their next board meeting.
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