The Local Council of Sector 6 has approved a proposal to ban the operation of gambling halls in this part of the capital. The final decision on implementation will rest with the General Council of Bucharest. Lottery outlets and betting shops are exempt from the ban.
Existing venues will close once their operating licences expire, with the first expected to shut at the end of March 2026. This makes Sector 6 the first district in Bucharest to move forward with such a ban.
According to the National Office for Gambling, there are more than 5,300 licensed gambling halls in Romania, with most located in the capital.
These local measures are made possible by a recent government emergency ordinance which requires operators to hold not only a national licence but also a local operating permit.
Local authorities can approve or reject applications based on urban planning, public order and community health considerations. They can also designate areas where gambling is permitted and set local taxes based on the size of the premises, payable within 30 days of the permit being issued.
At a national level, more than 40 local authorities and towns have already proposed measures to stop issuing licences.
Federation of Gambling Organisers of Romania (Fedbet) has warned that proposed local bans on gambling venues could push a significant portion of the market into the black market, arguing that prohibition would reduce regulatory oversight rather than eliminate gambling activity.
In February, the Romanian Senate advanced a measure to raise the gambling age to 21
