Less than half of Romania's county capitals have fully banned slot machines
After the government gave mayors authority to curb gambling, only 41% of county-seat municipalities have completely banned slot machines, while the rest regulate or partially restrict them.
More than six months after the Ilie Bolojan government transferred the power to prohibit gambling to local authorities, fewer than half of Romania's county-seat municipalities have eliminated slot machines entirely. Seventeen cities (41%) have voted for a full ban, sixteen (39%) chose to regulate the activity, and five (12%) imposed partial restrictions. Two municipalities have not adopted any measures, and one city saw its regulation suspended by a court ruling.
In Bucharest, sectors 3 and 6 have asked the General Council to ban the machines, while the USR party has filed a citywide ban proposal. Botoșani revoked an earlier regulation after a prefecture complaint and is now consulting the public on a new draft. Târgu Mureș also had its local gambling ordinance annulled by a court and is preparing a new proposal. The decisions are based on OUG 7/2026, issued in late April, which expands the scope of gambling regulation beyond slot machines to include lotteries, casino games, sports betting and bingo.
Why it matters
The patchwork of local gambling rules shows how national policy is unevenly applied, affecting public health and municipal revenues.
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