Romanian city bans new gambling halls with venues facing closure

The local council of Timișoara has unanimously voted to prohibit the authorisation of any new gambling halls across the city. 

On Tuesday, Mayor Dominic Fritz announced the new policy, stating that existing facilities will only be permitted to operate until their current licences expire, with closures expected by next year.

“This decision is now official: gambling halls can no longer be authorised in Timișoara,” Mayor Fritz declared on Facebook. He further explained that the city’s local council had approved a complete ban on the halls with a unanimous decision. 

Despite the ban, lottery services managed by Romania’s National Lottery will remain active. They will be the only gambling-related activity to do so. 

The current 173 authorised gambling venues, as recorded earlier this spring, will gradually cease operations as their central licences, regulated from Bucharest, expire (estimated by 2027).

Decisions lie with local authorities

As reported by local media, the president of the Timis County Council noted in April that the funding freed up from gambling hall oversight is expected to be redirected towards educational infrastructure, including new schools and kindergarten modernisations.

It follows a decision earlier this year by the Romanian government to transfer responsibility for the licensing of gambling into the hands of the local authorities. According to the new powers to veto new gambling venues, councils can also decide whether to allow or ban gambling outright. 

In 2024, the Romanian government moved to ban slot halls in towns that had fewer than 15,000 residents and introduced stringent zoning and advertising rules. 

The number of slot machines in the country has more than halved, dropping from 80,000 to 36,000.  

In 2025, brick-and-mortar gaming was worth around €1.67 billion annually, making up around a third of the total market, according to data from H2 Gambling Capital. 

Kathryn Evans

Kathryn covers bitesize breaking news with a primary focus on EMEA and US legislation. A proud North Walian, fluent Welsh speaker and lifelong Wrexham FC fan – long before Hollywood came calling.