Romanian Draft Law on Internet Gambling “Ambiguous,” Rejection by EC Expected

The new draft law on Internet gambling in Romania has been submitted to the European Commission and some are criticizing it for lack of clarity and for providing too harsh penalties: Gamblers, if convicted, could face a prison sentence of two years and unlicensed online gambling operators would also be prosecuted.  

The draft law was submitted to the EC in late June and is undergoing a three-month review process there. The EC is expected to respond to the draft law by October 4 and would become the parameters for new Romanian gambling law soon thereafter, although most think the EC will not find the work acceptable within European Union free trade laws: A key problem is that gambling websites currently legally registered with the EU would be illegal in the country under the new Romanian gambling law. 

Said Romanian gaming law attorney Bogdan Mararu: “The way [the proposed law is] drafted is very ambiguous and open to a lot of interpretation. It’s basically an unprofessional piece of work.”  

The Romanian government is said to be anxious to have some sort of taxation-and-regulation regime in place soon in order to receive much-needed extra revenue. Estimates say about €500 million is spent at Internet sportsbooks and online casinos in Romania annually.