A study has revealed a concerning prevalence of problematic gambling behaviours among teenagers in Romania. In response, the National Liberal Party is proposing a ban on gambling advertisements.
Nearly a quarter of Romanian adolescents are problem gamblers
The survey, conducted by Dr. Ramona Lupu, Vice President of the Romanian Association for Gambling Studies, found that 23.54 percent of teenage participants as exhibiting signs of problematic gambling, while 3.48 percent showed signs of pathological gambling.
The study also found that many adolescents first encounter gambling around the age of 15, with some as young as 11 years old exhibiting pathological gambling behaviours. Moreover, half of those surveyed said they could control the outcome of the game, which is “totally wrong,” explains Dr. Lupu.
Further findings reveal that 44 percent of adolescents bet amounts ranging from €10 to €100, and 72.22 percent participate in gambling activities within groups. Academic performance and attendance seem to be negatively impacted, with 30.55 percent reporting modest academic results and nearly 40 percent citing frequent absences. Additionally, 52.2 percent of participants reported having modest financial means.
Proposed ban on advertising
In Romania, the National Liberal Party (PNL), a member of the country’s ruling coalition, has proposed a ban on gambling advertisements as a central focus of its legislative agenda for the autumn parliamentary session, which started on 2 September. The proposed ban is the sixth out of eleven priorities outlined by PNL in the Romanian Chamber of Deputies.
PNL has announced that the gambling ad ban is a legislative priority that should become law before the end of the year. “Voting against these proposals equates to voting against the Romanian people,” asserted Gabriel Andronache, the leader of PNL lawmakers in the Chamber of Deputies.
The current legislative framework permits gambling ads on television only between 11 PM and 6 AM and during live sports broadcasts, but online gambling ads remain unrestricted.
Protecting players
In Romania, gambling addiction affects approximately 200,000 individuals, with 400,000 exhibiting problematic or at-risk behaviours, according to a 2023 study. Proponents of the ban argue that limiting gambling advertisements could help mitigate addiction risks, especially among vulnerable populations. Critics, however, warn that such a ban might reduce state revenues from gambling taxes and drive bettors toward illegal markets.
Recent legislative efforts in Romania have included higher taxes on gambling operators and restrictions on gambling halls in smaller towns.
If enacted, the proposed ads ban could impact Romanian football, where gambling companies are major sponsors. Out of the 16 teams in Liga 1, only two are not primarily sponsored by gambling companies. The remaining 14 teams are supported by various betting agencies, including well-known operators such as Betano, Superbet, and Unibet.
Additionally, all three top Romanian football competitions are named after gambling firms: Liga 1 (Superbet), the Romanian Cup (Betano), and Liga 2 (Casa Pariurilor). The potential ban could therefore lead to substantial financial losses for these teams and competitions.
Upcoming elections
The PNL is part of a coalition government with the Social Democratic Party (PSD), led by Prime Minister Marcel Ciolacu. With PSD holding 107 of the 330 seats in the lower chamber and PNL holding 79, passing the proposed ban will likely require PSD’s support.
Romania is scheduled to hold general elections in December. Current opinion polls suggest that both PSD and PNL are expected to secure majorities in both parliamentary chambers, potentially enabling them to form a new coalition government post-election.
Next steps
To achieve the desired ban on gambling ads, PNL will need to draft the bill, obtain opinions from the Legislative Council, present it in a government meeting, and seek approval from both the Senate and the Chamber of Deputies. The bill must then be promulgated by the President of Romania and published in the Official Gazette. As an ordinary law, it requires a majority of those present in both chambers to pass.
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