EC Investigates Romania’s Restrictions on Online Gambling

Romania might have to change its gambling laws to guarantee easier access for online operators.

The European Commission (EC) has decided to send official letters to authorities from Romania and five other states, inquiring on national laws restricting online gambling operators.

Under Article 56 of the Treaty on the functioning of the EU, all members of the Union have to guarantee free movement of services and the Commission is now analyzing if Romanian gambling laws are in compliance with these requirements.

The EC inquired on licensing conditions imposed on online operators, but has also asked details about the country’s general gambling legislation, in order to make sure that the regulatory system is coherent.

Vague regulations

Romania has passed its gambling laws a while ago, but failed to make them available to the public. This has created a lot of confusion, as it is still unclear whether foreign operators are allowed or not.

This is why the EC has asked state officials to clarify certain restrictions imposed on online gambling sites in Romania. “Certain issues have been raised regarding the requirement imposed on online operators to have their headquarters in Romania,” explained Razvan Horatiu Radu, Romania’s representative at the European Court of Justice.

The European authority is also investigating gambling policies applied by Belgium, Cyprus, the Czech Republic, Lithuania and Poland.